Box Score l Updated Stats

ROCHESTER, NY – The Nazareth men's basketball team saw a second half comeback fall short, as the RIT Tigers earned an 87-79 victory Friday night in the Mark's Pizzeria Crosstown Shootout.  It was the Golden Flyers first loss of the 2016-17 season.

Nazareth moves to 4-1 on the season, while RIT improves to 3-1. 

Nazareth scored the first seven points of the second half and a 3-pointer from Josh Gillard five minutes in, cut the Tigers lead to 50-46.

RIT built its lead back up to 10 points just past the midway point at 64-54.  Nazareth, however, kept clawing, with a quick 6-0 run bringing it to 68-65.  Denzell Jackson had four points, including a putback on the run.

Nazareth was able to trim the margin to two points at 72-70 with 3:47 left on the clock, but a cold shooting spell helped the Tigers pull away down the stretch.

Nazareth got strong production from Tyler Stenglein in the first half as he poured in 15 (4-for-7) of the Golden Flyers 34 halftime points.  He went 7-of-8 from the charity stripe.

The first 10 minutes of the half was very even with the Golden Flyers holding a 22-20 lead following two free throws from freshman Cody Green.

The final 10 minutes of the half saw RIT outscore Nazareth 25-12.  RIT held a 45-34 lead at the break.

Stenglein poured in 23 points on 7-for-13, to go along with eight rebounds.  Brendan Wind notched 13 points (5-for-12) and had eight assists.

Green scored in double figures with 11 points, including going 3-of-5 from long range.

Gillard, Jackson and Jake Burgio each had eight points.

Nazareth returns to the court on Saturday, when it will host the University of Rochester at 8 p.m. in its final game of the Mark's Pizzeria Crosstown Shootout.  Rochester defeated St. John Fisher 77-66 on Friday.