Box Score Box l Updated Stats
ONEONTA, N.Y. -- Visiting Nazareth used multiple second-half scoring runs to pull away from Hartwick 82-72 in a men's Empire 8 Conference basketball game on Friday evening. Seniors Jack Giles and Brad Ford and sophomore Mitch Ford totaled 63 of the Golden Flyers' points. With his 13 points and 10 rebounds, Brad Ford recorded his 11th double-double in 18 games this season.

With the victory, Nazareth extended its winning streak to six games. The Golden Flyers stand at 13-5 overall and 6-2 in conference games. Hartwick entered the game with a five-game winning streak, too. The Hawks' last loss was at the Kidera Gymnasium where Nazareth defeated Hartwick 86-76 on January 11th. With the loss, the Hawks fall to 12-7 overall and 7-2 in Empire 8 games. With their winning streak, the Golden Flyers are only a half-game out of first place in the conference standings. Hartwick and Stevens each stand at 7-2 in conference games. Alfred is just behind Nazareth at 5-2 while St. John Fisher stands at 5-4.

The opening 4:23 of the second half featured four lead changes and one tie before Giles' shot from beyond the arc with 15:37 to play in regulation lifted Nazareth to a 45-44 lead. Giles basket was the beginning of 11 consecutive points for the Golden Flyers, which changed a 44-42 deficit into a 53-44 lead. Following his initial three-pointer, Giles connected on another three-pointer less than a minute later. On Nazareth's following possession, freshman Josh Gillard connected on his three-point attempt. Giles capped the run with a layup.

Leading 55-49 with 9:35 to play, Nazareth took control of the game with another scoring run. The Golden Flyers outscored the Hawks 7-0 in the span of just one minute to stretch its lead to 13 points, 62-49. Giles ignited the run with a layup before Mitch Ford converted two free throw attempts. Brad Ford capped the run with a three-point basket. Following Ford's three, the Golden Flyers maintained their double-digit advantage throughout the remainder of the contest. With six free throws in a span of 38 seconds at the end of the game, Nazareth stretched its lead to a game-high 17 points, 78-61, before claiming the 10-point win.

The Golden Flyers took command of the contest by shooting a torrid 15-27 (55.6 percent) from the field, which included 5-10 (50 percent) from outside the arc. Meanwhile, Nazareth's stingy defense held the Hawks to 13-36 (36.1 percent) on their field goal attempts. Additionally, the Golden Flyers improved dramatically from the free throw line. In the first half, Nazareth connected on 4-11 (36.4 percent) from the charity stripe, but responded in the second half to convert 12 of 15 (80 percent) of their attempts. Giles scored 24 of his game-high 31 points in the second stanza. Between his last two games, Giles has amassed 69 points on 24 of 33 field goal attempts (72. 7 percent).

Midway through the first period, the Golden Flyers built a nine-point lead, 21-12, following a two-point jumper from Cody Sarkis. Hartwick outscored Nazareth 22-14 through the end of the opening stanza to trim the Golden Flyers' lead to one point, 35-34, at the break.

In addition to the points from Giles, Mitch Ford had 18 points and Brad Ford recorded 13 points. Gilliard and sophomore Maurice Mills each added three points while senior Scott Hayford finished with five points. Hayford also had a team-high four assists. Both teams collected 42 rebounds apiece. Brad Ford led Nazareth with 10 boards while Hayford and Mitch Ford each grabbed eight.

Jared Suderley finished with a team-high 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Hawks. Kyle Bradley and Joey Lufkin each scored 10 points.

The Golden Flyers will look to continue their winning streak and avenge their January 10th overtime loss to Stevens when Nazareth travels to Hoboken, N.J. on Saturday for its critical Empire 8 contest against the Ducks. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.