Box | Updated stats
HOBOKEN, N.J. -- Visiting Nazareth outscored Stevens 31-13 over the final 10:34 of the first half and first 1:30 of the second half to stretch its 14-12 lead into an overwhelming 45-25 advantage. The Golden Flyers went on to defeat the Ducks 80-71 in the men's Empire 8 Conference basketball game. Junior Mitch Ford scored a game-high 24 points as he connected on nearly 47 percent of his shots (7-15). Classmates Nick Nadeau and Maurice Mills tallied 18 points and 13 points, respectively, while sophomore Dan Morse added 14 points. Mills also collected a game-high 15 rebounds.

With the victory, the Golden Flyers improve to 10-14 overall and 6-9 in Empire 8 games. Following the loss, the Ducks fall to 11-13 overall and 7-8 in conference games.

Leading 14-12 midway through the first, Mills ignited a 10-4 run with a two-point jumper. It was followed by a three-point basket by senior Vinny Amuso. Nadeau added a jumper, then Mills capped the run with a three-point play. Stevens trimmed its deficit to 24-21, however, the Golden Flyers used a 9-0 run to take their first double-digit lead of the game with roughly four minutes to play in the first period. Junior Steven Soltysik started the run with a three-pointer, which was followed by a pair of layups by Nadeau that were sandwiched around a jumper by sophomore Colin McGlynn. McGlynn and Nadeau scored the last two baskets of the half to give the Golden Flyers a 41-25 lead at the break. Nadeau's bucket came in the final seconds before the buzzer sounded.

Nadeau scored the first four points of the second half to extend Nazareth's lead to 20 points. Stevens closed to within seven points twice in the final 5:02, but the Golden Flyers responded with a layup from Mills and a free throw by Nadeau to reclaim its 10-point lead. Nazareth made 72 percent (23-32) of its free throws, including 13 in the final two minutes of regulation, to secure the victory. Morse connected on seven of the free throws during the final minutes.

The Golden Flyers maintained their lead for over 38 minutes of the game. Nazareth finished with making over 47 percent (27-57) of their shots while holding the Ducks to 35 percent (25-71). Each team collected 41 rebounds. Stevens recorded a 19-11 advantage on the offensive glass, but the Golden Flyers answered with a 30-22 advantage on the defensive glass.

Alex Lorenz and Patrick Barron led the Ducks in scoring. Lorenz finished with a team-high 23 points, and Barron added 16 points.

Nazareth is in action again on Saturday when the Golden Flyers close the regular season at Hartwick.