Box Score Box
BROCKPORT, N.Y. -- Nazareth defeated Bard 69-47 in the opening game of the Brockport Tip-off Classic, hosted by the Golden Eagles. The Golden Flyers outscored the Raptors 35-20 in the first half to build their advantage. Nazareth finished with three players in double-digits in scoring, led by sophomore Lindsey Kelly, who finished with 15 points. Kelly also had a game-high nine rebounds.

With the victory, Nazareth begins the season with a 1-0 record and advances to the championship game of the Tip-Off Classic. Bard opens the season with an 0-1 record.

The Golden Flyers opened the contest with a 10-2 scoring run following a three-point basket by sophomore Julia Brew, a layup by classmate Veronica Peck, a three-pointer by senior Megan Morrison, and a jumper by junior Melissa Reeves. Nazareth built its largest lead of the first half, 29-12, with 3:38 remaining in the period after a 6-0 run that spanned roughly two minutes. Sophomore Colby McCartney capped the run with a two-point basket.

After the Raptors trimmed Nazareth's advantage to 11 points with 90 seconds to play in the opening half, the Golden Flyers responded with six consecutive points in 41 seconds to reclaim their 17-point lead. Bard recorded the final basket of the half to bring the halftime score to 35-20. Peck ignited the run with a layup before Morrison recorded two free throws and a two-point basket.

Nazareth maintained its double-digit lead throughout the second half. The Golden Flyers' final basket of the contest, by sophomore Katrina Wright with 1:04 to play in regulation, gave the Golden Flyers their largest lead of the game at 69-47. The closest the Raptors came during the second period was 13 points. Tytravia Riley's layup 3:51 into the half cut Nazareth's lead to 39-26. To thwart Bard's rally attempt, McCartney converted a layup and Brew connected on another three-point shot on consecutive possessions to give the Golden Flyers an 18-point lead.

Brew finished with 15 points and connected on 4-6 shots from beyond the arc. Morrison finished 4-6 from the field and added two free throws to tally 12 points. McCartney finished with eight points. Peck recorded a team-high four assists. The Golden Flyers shot 12-29 (over 41 percent) from the field in the second half to stretch their lead to over 20 points.

Nazareth took control of the game by forcing Bard into 26 turnovers. The Golden Flyers recorded 10 steals. Morrison, McCartney, and freshman Hayley Spoljaric each had two steals. Nazareth also finished the contest with a 36-33 edge in total rebounds. The Golden Flyers had a 14-8 advantage on the offensive glass. In addition to Kelly's nine rebounds, Wright collected five boards while McCartney, Spoljaric, and junior Hannah Runyon grabbed four rebounds apiece.

Nazareth continues action in the Brockport Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday. The Golden Flyers will play the winner of Brockport and Wells.