Men’s Basketball Holds Off SUNY Geneseo, 85-82
GENESEO, NY (nazathletics.com) – Nazareth Men’s Basketball (8-3, 3-0) picked up its second straight Empire 8 victory over SUNY Geneseo (5-5, 1-1), 85-82, Friday night inside Carl Schrader Gymnasium.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Nazareth set the tone immediately, trading baskets early before ripping off a 9-0 run to lead 31-21 midway through the first half.
- The Golden Flyers stretched the lead with relentless perimeter shooting, hitting eight first-half 3-pointers and turning defensive stops into quick scores to push the margin to 49-38 at halftime.
- SUNY Geneseo opened the second half with a surge in the paint and at the free-throw line, trimming the deficit to five within the first four minutes and forcing Nazareth into a tighter, half-court game.
- Nazareth answered with timely buckets inside to stem the momentum until the Knights converted on multiple possessions to briefly retake the advantage on a late second-half run.
- With the score tied in the final three minutes, Nazareth reclaimed the lead on a putback and followed with a driving finish to go up three, answering every push with points in the lane.
- In the final minute, Nazareth protected the lead at the stripe and forced a missed look on the other end, sealing an 85-82 win in a game that featured nine lead changes and five ties.
GAME NOTES
- Jaylen Savage led the Golden Flyers with 24 points, his fourth game with 20 or more points this season. The senior guard went 9 of 15 from the floor with two steals, two rebounds and one block.
- Merritt Holly picked up his fifth double-double of the year with 12 rebounds and 10 points. He added one block in his ninth double-digit scoring performance of the season.
- Luke Insley recorded 17 points in the win, going 5 for 9 from the field with six assists.
- Solomon McFarlane chipped in 12 points with three, 3-pointers and three rebounds.
UP NEXT
Nazareth continues Empire 8 action tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 10, at SUNY Brockport. Tip off is slated for 4 p.m. in Brockport, NY.
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