Box Score Box l Updated stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Officials counted the two-point jumper by Stevens' Andrew Meszaros at the end of regulation to force overtime in Friday evening's Empire 8 men's basketball contest between the Ducks and the Golden Flyers. Stevens outscored the Nazareth 18-10 in overtime to claim the 96-88 victory. Nazareth finished with five players in double-digits in scoring led by sophomore Maurice Mills, who scored 20 points.

With the loss, the Golden Flyers slip to 1-2 in conference games and 7-5 overall. Following the victory, Stevens remains undefeated in Empire 8 games with a 3-0 record. The Ducks are 8-3 overall.

Nazareth built a two-possession lead in the final minutes and maintained their advantage until the last 30 seconds of regulation. With just under two minutes to play, senior Jack Giles connected on a three-point basket to break a 66-66 tie. After a layup by Stevens, classmate Scott Hayford connected on another three-point attempt. Both scoring chances were set up by Nazareth players driving to the basket then kicking the ball out to the open shooter. With 50 seconds remaining, sophomore Mitch Ford converted a pair of free throw opportunities to give the Golden Flyers a 74-68 lead.

Eight seconds after Ford's free throws, Evan Klimchak connected on a three-point basket. Mills followed by making three of four free throws in a span of 12 seconds to extend Nazareth's lead back to six points, 77-71, with 22 seconds to play. Phillip DeSeignora connected on another three-point shot for the Ducks to keep them in the game. Senior Brad Ford made one of two free throws on the Golden Flyers ensuing possession to give Nazareth the 78-74 advantage. With five seconds left, Klimchak made a layup as the Golden Flyers guarded the three-point arc. Only one second ticked off the clock before Stevens took a foul. Hayford missed the ensuing free throws to allow Meszaros his shot opportunity.

In overtime, the Golden Flyers scored the opening bucket on a layup by Mills. After a Stevens' basket, Mills connected on a two-point jumper then added a free throw to give Nazareth an 83-82 lead with 3:18 to play in overtime. The Ducks answered with 13 of the next 15 points to claim a 95-85 lead with 14 seconds to play. Stevens was able to increase its advantage by connecting on five free throws in the final minute. Klimchak's three-point play, which stretched the Ducks' lead to 87-83 with just over two minutes remaining, was also a momentum swing.

In the first half, Nazareth freshman Dan Morse collected an offensive rebound then beat the buzzer with a two-point jumper to tie the game at 30 points apiece going into halftime. Stevens held a 28-23 lead before Nazareth's scoring run at the end of the period. Freshman Josh Gilliard connected on a free throw, which was followed by a basket by Mills and a pair of free throws by freshman Tomer Nesher. Morse's basket capped the run. The Golden Flyers' defense allowed only a pair of free throws to Klimchak during their scoring run. Stevens had only one field goal for a span of over six minutes to close the half.

Nazareth had two five-point leads early in the first half. The first, 13-8, followed a three-point shot by Giles. Giles added a basket moments later to reclaim the lead after a bucket by Stevens.

In addition to the points by Mills, Brad Ford tallied 19 points while Giles finished with 16 points. Hayford and Mitch Ford each added 13 points.

Klimchak finished with a game-high 25 points for Stevens, and he was followed in scoring by Meszaros and Kenny Gan, who recorded 22 points and 16 points, respectively.

The Ducks finished the game with a 47-41 advantage in total rebounds. Mills had 12 boards to lead Nazareth while Mitch Ford added 10 rebounds, including five offensive. Ford finished with a double-double despite playing only 26 minutes due to foul trouble. Meszaros had 12 rebounds to lead Stevens.

The Golden Flyers are in action again at 2 p.m. on Saturday when Nazareth hosts Hartwick in another Empire 8 contest.