Box l Updated stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Host Nazareth outscored Elmira 35-16 in the first half and went on to defeat Elmira 67-45 in a men's Empire 8 basketball game on Friday evening. Senior Tyshun Stephens tallied a game-high 21 points to surpass 1,400 total points in his career at Nazareth. Stephens currently stands at 1,406 career points. Junior Brad Ford scored eight points, and he currently stands at 987 career points.

With the victory, the Golden Flyers improve to 15-9 overall and 7-6 in Empire 8 games. The Soaring Eagles fall to 6-18 overall and 3-10 in conference contests following the loss. Nazareth stands in a fourth-place tie with Utica in the conference standings.

The top four teams earn a spot in the upcoming Empire 8 Conference Tournament, which is being played February 22nd-23rd. Utica defeated Ithaca on Friday to keep pace with Nazareth. The Golden Flyers earn the fourth seed with a victory over Ithaca on Saturday. Nazareth also earns the spot with a loss to Ithaca, if Utica also falls to Elmira on Saturday.

The Golden Flyers surged to their 19-point lead in the opening period by holding the Soaring Eagles to 29 percent (5-17) on their field goals and forcing 12 turnovers. Nazareth, meanwhile, connected on almost 41 percent (13-32) on their field goals and had only two turnovers.

Nazareth's defense held Ithaca to 16 total points in the first half. Stephens recorded 13 points to nearly match Utica's total. The Soaring Eagles entered the game shooting 42 percent from the field. The Golden Flyers held Elmira without a field goal for a span of 8:06 to extend its lead. The Soaring Eagles recorded only three free throws during their drought. Stephens gave Nazareth 21-point lead with just under two minutes to play in half before Elmira scored to cut the Golden Flyers' advantage to 35-16 at the break.

In the second half, Nazareth's offense connected on nearly 53 percent (10-19) of their shots to continue to build the lead. A two-point jumper by Stephens gave the Golden Flyers a game-high 30-point lead with roughly four minutes to play in regulation. Nazareth's defense still only allowed Elmira to connect on 36 percent (8-22) of their field goals, however, the Soaring Eagles made 12-17 free throws in the period.

In addition to the points from Stephens and Brad Ford, junior Scott Hayford finished with 12 points as he connected on a game-high three three-point baskets. Senior Dan Waldbillig and freshman Maurice Mills scored seven points apiece while junior Jack Giles added six points.

Each team secured 33 rebounds. Brad Ford had a game-high 10 boards for Nazareth. John Mullane grabbed seven boards to lead the Soaring Eagles.

Kurt Dutcher and Chris Cassidy each had 10 points for Elmira.

Nazareth's critical game at Ithaca tips at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The Golden Flyers edged the Bombers 62-61 on February 1st.