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ROCHESTER, NY – Host Nazareth handed St. John Fisher its first conference loss of the season, prevailing 75-67 Thursday night in the first go around of the Battle of the Beaks. It was Nazareth's first win in seven tries against Fisher, dating back to the 2013-14 season. The Cardinals carried a seven game win streak into the contest, before suffering their first conference blemish of the season.
The Golden Flyers improve to 11-6 overall and 5-3 in the Empire 8, while Fisher falls to 12-5 and 7-1, respectively.
Nazareth had a slow start to the game and trailed 12-4. The Golden Flyers, however, were able to even the score at 14 apiece following a layup from
Tyler Stenglein.
Trailing 24-14, Nazareth used a 19-8 run, spanning over five minutes to take its first lead of the game.
Cody Green hit a 3-pointer to give Nazareth the 33-32 lead with five minutes left in the half.
Green ignited the crowd shortly after, converting consecutive 3-pointers to push the Nazareth margin to 43-36. He was 4-for-4 from 3-point range in the half and 5-for-5 in the game to provide a huge spark for head coach Kevin Borderick.
Nazareth held a 43-36 lead at the break.
Much like to start the game, Nazareth was cold to begin the second half. Fisher came to within 43-41 before
Brendan Wind knocked down back-to-back jumpers five minutes in.
The Golden Flyers kept things going with
Jake Burgio converting points in the paint on consecutive possessions to give Nazareth a 60-46 edge past the midway point.
Nazareth's double-digit lead held until a traditional 3-point play from Keegan Ryan cut the deficit to 68-61 with 1:45 to play.
Fisher kept clawing and was able to trim the lead to six, but Nazareth pulled away in the final :30 seconds.
Stenglein (6-for-21) and Wind (7-for-16) each went for 17 points.
Burgio contributed 12 points (5-for-8) and seven rebounds.
Nazareth returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Alfred at 4 p.m. The Saxons got the better of Nazareth in the first contest, winning 88-69 on their home court.
