Box Score Box | Updated stats
ONEONTA, N.Y. -- Senior Brad Ford scored 27 points and grabbed nine rebounds Friday for third-seeded Nazareth as the Golden Flyers defeated second-seeded Stevens, 71-60, in an Empire 8 Conference playoff game for men's basketball at Hartwick's Lambros Arena.

Nazareth's win avenged a pair of regular-season losses to the Ducks and improved the Golden Flyers' overall record to 19-7. Stevens finished its season at 17-9. The Golden Flyers will play for the conference championship Saturday at 3 p.m. against top-seeded and host Hartwick, a 90-85 winner over Alfred in Friday's second semifinal game. The conference champion gains an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.

Ford surpassed the 1,500-point mark in career scoring for the Golden Flyers by making 9-of-16 shots with three three-point baskets. He ranks sixth all-time with 1,511 points. He also ranks second all-time in rebounding with 934. Senior Jack Giles added 13 points and sophomore Mitch Ford scored 12.

Ford scored 12 of his points in the first half as Nazareth built a 37-26 halftime lead. Stevens' Andrew Meszaros scored the first basket of the second half, then Nazareth used a 17-6 scoring run to expand the lead to 20 points, 54-34, with 10:17 to go. Brad Ford scored 13 of his points during the run and Nazareth had a double digit lead the rest of the way.

Nazareth made 49.1 percent of its shots (28-for-57) from the field with 5 three-pointers. The Golden Flyers were just 10 for 21 from the free throw line (47.6 percent). Matt Skrelja led Stevens with 17 points and eight rebounds. Evan Kilmchak and Kenny Gan each scored 12.

In Saturday's final, Nazareth will be seeking its third E8 title and first since 2010. Nazareth last reached the finals in 2012.