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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Utica's Ian Henderson connected on a three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining in regulation to give the visiting Pioneers a 71-70 lead. Utica added a pair of free throws with four seconds left to extend its lead to 73-70. Junior Nick Nadeau had a desperation game-tying attempt from about 35-feet away but his shot was off the mark.

With the loss, the Golden Flyers fall to 8-13 overall and 4-8 in Empire 8 contests. Following the victory, the Pioneers improve to 9-14 overall and 5-9 in conference games.

On Nazareth's possession prior to Henderson's three-pointer, junior Mitch Ford gave the Golden Flyers a 70-68 lead on a tip-in after Maurice Mills' attempt rolled out.

The Golden Flyers led 68-61 with 3:19 to play in the second half following a pair of free throws by Mills, a three-point play from Ford, and a layup a piece from Ford and Nadeau. The 9-2 scoring run broke a 59-59 tie.

Nazareth had the lead for over 35 minutes of regulation. The Golden Flyers' largest lead was 50-42 with just under 14 minutes to play after junior Steven Soltysik connected on a shot from outside the arc. Soltysik's shot capped a 12-6 run during the first six minutes of the second half. Sophomore Dan Morse had two layups to start the run, which was followed by a jumper from Ford and two free throws by Ford.

The Golden Flyers were held to 32 percent (11-34) from the field in the second period to allow Utica to rally. Mills and Ford each experienced foul trouble toward the end of the half which impacted Nazareth's offensive rhythm. The Pioneers, meanwhile, connected on 50 percent (14-28) of their field goals in the period.

In the first half, Ford and Nadeau scored on consecutive possessions to give the Golden Flyers an early 15-11 lead. Soltysik's first three-pointer extended Nazareth's advantage to seven points with 8:55 to play in the stanza. In the final minute of the period, Nadeau made a two-point jumper to provide the Golden Flyers with a 36-32 lead at the break.

Ford finished with a game-high 30 points and collected a game-high 16 boards. Mills added 16 points while Soltysik recorded nine points on a trio of three-pointers. Nadeau and Morse had eight points and seven points, respectively.

Conor Maisch and Chris Jeffers, who tied the game, 68-68, with a three-pointer with 61 seconds to play, each recorded 19 points and seven rebounds.

Nazareth is in action again on Saturday when the Golden Flyers travel down East Avenue to play St. John Fisher in another Empire 8 Conference contest. Saturday's game is scheduled for 4 p.m.