Box | Updated stats
ITHACA, N.Y. -- Host Ithaca sank 61 percent of its field goal attempts Friday as the Bombers handed Nazareth its first Empire 8 Conference defeat of the season in men's basketball, 87-54, at the Ben Light Gymnasium.

The Golden Flyers had a four-game winning streak snapped as they dropped to 5-1 in conference games and 8-4 overall. Ithaca, bolstered by four players who scored in double figures, improved to 3-0 in Empire 8 action and 10-2 overall.

Nazareth surrendered a season-high 87 points and the Bombers made 36 of 61 from the field, including 11 of 21 shots from three-point range (52 percent). In contrast, Nazareth made 22 of 65 shots (34 percent), including 3 of 13 three-point tries (23 percent).

Ithaca bolted to a 15-point advantage, 29-14, in the first 11 minutes and Nazareth never recovered. The lead grew to 20 points, 37-17, on a three-point basket by Chris Cruz-Rivas with 5:51 left in the half. The lead reached 27 points, 52-25, by halftime as the Bombers shot 21 for 29 (72.4 percent) in the first 20 minutes with eight three-point shots.

Nazareth never challenged in the second half as each team emptied its bench. Ithaca's Phil Barera had game highs in points (24) and rebounds (10) as he shot 12 of 16 from the field. Andrei Oztemel added 18 points with four three-pointers. Jordan Marcus and Sean Rossi each scored 10.

Corey McAdam and Phil Scaffidi each scored 10 points for Nazareth. Freshman Tyshun Stephens contributed nine points and nine rebounds.

Nazareth plays again Saturday at Utica at 4 p.m.