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ONEONTA, N.Y. -- Host Hartwick scored the last eight points of the game in the final minute to erase a seven-point deficit to rally past Nazareth for an improbable 80-79 men's basketball victory over the Golden Flyers Friday at Lambros Arena.

The loss drops the Golden Flyers to 9-6 in conference play and 15-9 overall and creates a three-way tie for the final two playoff spots in the conference standings. Hartwick also stands at 9-6 and 16-8 overall. Utica, idle Friday, is also 9-6. Nazareth can clinch a spot with a victory at Stevens Saturday at 5 p.m. Hartwick hosts St. John Fisher Saturday at 5 p.m. and Utica hosts Elmira at 4.

On Friday, Nazareth had a seemingly safe 79-72 lead following Jake Burgio's baseline jumper with 1:11 to play. Hartwick's Justin Pratt converted a three-point play on the Hawks' next possession. Then after Nazareth's Cody Green missed the front end of a one-and-one foul shot opportunity, Brandon LaForest nailed a three-pointer for Hartwick to trim Nazareth's lead to 79-78 with :39 left.

Brendan Wind was fouled with :20 to go and then also missed the front end of a one-and one, paving the way for Hartwick's Justin Carruthers to score the game-winning basket with :05 remaining. A desperation heave by Wind fell short as time expired.

Wind and Green each scored 18 points to lead a five-player Nazareth contingent in double figures. Wind also had eight assists. Burgio had 16 points and a game-high 11 rebounds and Tyler Stenglein and Chris Jones each scored 11.

The game was close throughout with Hartwick taking a six-point halftime lead, 43-37, despite 11 points from Green, including three three-pointers.

In the second half, Hartwick was up 72-71 with five minutes left before Nazareth scored eight straight points -- two baskets each from Wind and Burgio -- to go up 79-72. That set the stage for the frantic final minute from which Hartwick escaped with a one-point win, avenging a 74-65 defeat to the Golden Flyers from Jan. 21.

LaForest was the game's high scorer with 24 points. Pratt and Marc du Moulin each scored 15.

The stage is now set for an interesting Empire 8 Saturday that will determine the four playoff spots for next weekend's conference tournament hosted by St. John Fisher. Semifinal games are Friday at 6 and 8 p.m. The championship game is Saturday at 4.