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UTICA, N.Y. -- Senior Corey McAdam scored 19 of his game-high 32 points in the second half Saturday as visiting Nazareth recovered from a Friday-night loss at Ithaca to defeat Utica, 69-56, in an Empire 8 Conference men's basketball game.

Nazareth's second win of the season over the Pioneers enabled the Golden Flyers to improve to 6-1 in conference play and 9-4 overall. Utica is 0-4 and 5-7.

After suffering its first E8 defeat of the season Friday at Ithaca, Nazareth fell behind early against Utica before recovering to take a 35-32 halftime lead. Back-to-back jumpers by freshman Tyshun Stephens enabled Nazareth to erase a three-point deficit and gave the Golden Flyers the lead for good, 15-14, with 10:23 left in the first half.

With Nazareth clinging to a one-point lead, Stephens also beat the halftime buzzer with another jumper to make the score 35-32 at halftime.

McAdam went to work for the Golden Flyers in the second half as he scored five baskets and went 9 for 10 from the free-throw line in the final 20 minutes. Overall, McAdam was 15 for 16 from the foul line and had four assists. Nazareth's lead continued to grow and reached a game-high 19 points, 62-43, following a pair of free throws by Jason Corletta with 5:29 to go.

Stephens finished with 10 points for Nazareth and sophomore Greg Lothridge contributed nine points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Patrick Goodman was Utica's high scorer with 16 points.

Nazareth returns to action Wednesday for the opening round of the annual Wendy's College Classic (formerly the JPMorgan Chase Tournament) with first-round games at Keuka and Roberts Wesleyan. Seedings with be announced Sunday.