Scott Hayford was one of four Nazareth players to score in double figures

Men's Basketball

Nazareth falls to Hobart, 77-71

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Second-seeded Hobart held off a second-half rally by third-seeded Nazareth Friday and held on to take a 77-71 men's basketball victory over the Golden Flyers in a consolation game of the Wendy's College Classic played at RIT's Clark Gymnasium.

Hobart improved to 4-1 overall, while Nazareth lost its second straight tournament game and slipped to 3-2 overall. The Golden Flyers will play in Saturday's seventh-place game at St. John Fisher at 1 p.m. against the loser of the second consolation game between RIT and Geneseo.

The game was close throughout, but Hobart led 34-26 at halftime and extended that advantage to as many as 12 points on four occasions in the second half. The last time came on a jumper by Joe Gibbons with 12:58 to go. An 18-5 scoring run by the Golden Flyers that spanned more than five minutes enabled Nazareth to take a 58-57 lead with 7:18 left. Scott Hayford and Brad Ford each hit three-point baskets during the scoring run, which ended on a basket by Mitch Ford.

The teams exchanged baskets over the next four minutes. Nazareth tied the game at 69-69 on a basket by Maurice Mills and again at 71-71 on a basket by Mitch Ford with 1:38 left.

The Golden Flyers didn't score again as Gibbons hit the go-ahead basket with 1:03 left. Trey Blanding added two free throws with :29 left and Richie Bonney hit two more with :09 to seal the win for the Statesmen.

Hobart shot the ball well all night, hitting 31 of 56 shots from the floor overall (55.4 percent), including 16 of 23 (69.6 percent) in the second half. Nazareth went 30 for 66 (45.5 percent) from the field, but made only 3 of 19 three-point shots.

Brad Ford led the Golden Flyers with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Mills scored 17 points and Hayford had 16. Gibbons led all scorers with 24 points for Hobart. Bonney had 21 points and 11 rebounds. Blanding had 12 points and 10 assists.
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