Box Score Box l Updated stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Senior Brad Ford amassed a game-high 24 points and 15 rebounds to lead all players in both categories in Nazareth's 74-46 non-conference victory over Houghton on Saturday afternoon. The Golden Flyers received points from a total of 11 players to overwhelm the Highlanders' defense.

With the victory, Nazareth improves to 15-6 overall. Following the loss, Houghton falls to 3-18 overall. The Golden Flyers moved into a tie for second place in the Empire 8 standings after Alfred defeated Hartwick 105-98. Stevens stands in first at 9-3 in conference games, followed by Alfred and Nazareth at 7-3. Hartwick is 8-4, and St. John Fisher is 7-5. The top four teams qualify for the Empire 8 tournament, February 28th-March 1st.

The Golden Flyers surged to a 12-2 lead in the opening 5:12 of the contest to take control of the game from the beginning. Nazareth was able to create layups with drives to the basket and posting up defenders. Brad Ford tallied six of Nazareth's first eight points. He opened the game's scoring with a layup, then added two additional layups around a bucket by Mitch Ford. Sophomore Maurice Mills closed the scoring run with a pair of layups.

With two minutes remaining in the period, senior Scott Hayford extended the Golden Flyers' lead to 18 points, 36-18, with a layup. Nazareth settled for a 36-20 lead at the break. The Golden Flyers held Houghton's offense to 7-24 (29 percent) shooting from the field to build their lead. Nazareth connected on 16-35 (46 percent) of its shots. Brad Ford nearly outscored the entire Highlanders' team in the opening 20 minutes. He finished the half with 17 points on 8-11 shooting.

In the second half, the Golden Flyers' dominance continued as Nazareth held Houghton to five total points through the first 11:22 of the period. The Golden Flyers used the opportunity to stretch its lead to a game-high 31 points, 56-25, with just under nine minutes to play. Consecutive baskets by freshmen Jack Mulcahy and and Josh Gillard capped the 20-5 scoring run to put Nazareth's advantage over 30 points. Houghton closed to within 23 points, but the Highlanders were unable to threaten the Golden Flyers' lead.

In addition to the points from Brad Ford, Mills tallied nine points while Gillard and freshmen Tomer Nesher and Dan Morse each had eight points. Gillard's eight points was a season-high. Gillard had seven points when the Golden Flyers played Houghton in January. Senior Scott Hayford also had six points. Senior Cody Sarkis (three points), senior Jack Giles (two points), and freshman Denzell Jackson (two points) also scored.

The Golden Flyers' defense held all of the Highlanders under 10 points. Tyler McQuaid and Matthew Ball each had nine points for Houghton. Nazareth also finished with a commanding 50-29 advantage in total rebounds, including 16 offensive rebounds. In addition to Brad Ford's boards, Mills collected nine rebounds, including five offensive.

The Golden Flyers are in action again on February 14th when Nazareth travels down East Ave. to play at St. John Fisher in an Empire 8 contest.