Savage; Blankenberg, Key in Men’s Hoops Victory Over Fisher, 79-66

ROCHESTER, NY – Jaylen Savage and Logan Blankenberg each finished with 18 points to help propel men’s basketball to a 79-66 victory of St. John Fisher on Saturday night in the Battle of the Beaks. The Golden Flyers used a strong push at the end of the game to open up a double-digit lead.

Nazareth improves to 9-6 with the win and 6-1 in Empire 8 play, while Fisher drops to 10-7 and 6-2, respectively.

In the second half, Nazareth trailed 47-46 at the 11:05 mark. The Golden Flyers had a strong stretch, mounting a 10-2 run to take a 56-49 advantage. Luke Insley, who had four points on the run, gave Nazareth the lead at 48-47 and the Golden Flyers led the rest of the way. Blankenberg had five points on the run. 

Nazareth kept things going on a Jordan Haggard traditional 3-point play at 4:14 to make it 66-58. He finished the game with 16 points.

On the ensuing possession, Savage stole the ball and converted a traditional 3-point play of his own to extend the advantage to 69-58 with under three minutes to play. The Cardinals never threatened the rest of the way.

Nazareth held three-time Empire 8 Player of the Year, Daniel Cook, to just nine points — it was the first time all season he was held under double digits. He came into the game averaging 20.7 points per game.

In the first half, Savage scored six-straight points for the Golden Flyers, including splitting two defenders and slamming it home down the open lane. That made it 14-7 just over five minutes in.

Seven points matched the largest lead for the Golden Flyers. Haggard made it 20-13 at the midway point of the half.

Fisher eventually took the lead at 29-28 but the Golden Flyers were able to take a 33-31 lead into the break.

Jack Broderick had seven points and 10 boards. Insley finished with 14 points and five assists.

The Golden Flyers won the turnover battle 15-9.

Nazareth returns to action on Tuesday hosting Houghton at 7:30 p.m.