ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Host Nazareth recorded a key Empire 8 Conference women's basketball victory Tuesday as the Golden Flyers used an aggressive defensive effort to turn back Alfred, 48-35. Nazareth freshman
Brittany Wilson posted game highs in points (12) and rebounds (9).
The victory enabled Nazareth to maintain its hold on fourth place in the conference standings as the Golden Flyers improved to 10-6 overall and 4-3 in the E8. Alfred fell to 8-7 overall and 3-5 in conference games.
Nazareth held the Saxons scoreless for more than nine minutes of the first half in building a 21-14 lead through 20 minutes. Alfred led 11-9 following a three-pointer by Lyndsay Murphy with 13:04 to play. Alfred didn't score again until Christina Jordan hit a three-pointer with 3:55 to play.
Nazareth led 18-14 at that point and extended the lead to 21-14 on a three-pointer by
Sally Wilcox with 38 seconds left in the half. Nazareth held the Saxons to just nine field goals for the game in 52 attempts (17.3 percent). Nazareth also benefited from a 52-37 rebounding advantage with freshman
Katie Kollar also collecting nine.
Nazareth opened the second half with a 12-2 scoring run that stretched the lead to a game-high 17 points, 33-16, as freshman Brittany Tallchief completed a three-point play with 10:16 left. Alfred answered with a three-pointer from Jordan and a layup by Danielle Cooper to close to within 12, 33-21, but Wilson hit a jumper and
Kelly Dunne converted two free throws to push the lead back to 16 with seven minutes left.
Dunne and
Lizzie Barlow each finished with seven points. Murphy led Alfred with 10.
Nazareth hits the road for two key conference games this weekend. The Golden Flyers visit Stevens Friday at 6 p.m. and Hartwick Sunday at 12 p.m.
