Box l Updated stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Stevens outlasted host Nazareth 75-68 in a men's Empire 8 basketball game Saturday afternoon. The Ducks made 25-28 (89 percent) of their free throw attempts, including nine in the final 55 seconds to secure the victory. The Golden Flyers' junior Maurice Mills amassed 23 points and 18 rebounds to lead all players in both categories.

With the loss, Nazareth falls to 4-8 overall and 0-3 in conference games. Following the victory, Stevens improves to 6-7 overall and 3-2 in Empire 8 contests.

Saturday's contest was closely fought with 11 tie scores, including five in the second half. The second stanza also featured four lead changes with neither team being able to build a lead of more than six points until the final seconds. Coming out from the halftime break, Mills gave Nazareth a 32-31 lead with an offensive rebound and layup. The Golden Flyers stretched their lead to 52-46 following a layup by junior Mitch Ford 7:36 into the second. Prior to Ford's basket, junior Nick Nadeau and sophomore Jack Mulcahy connected on consecutive shots from outside the arc to help Nazareth counter the Ducks' two-point buckets and stretch their lead.

During the next eight-minute span, Stevens chipped away at its deficit and took the lead for good with 4:28 remaining in regulation after Otis Osman converted a three-point play opportunity. The Golden Flyers stayed within one possession until the final 20 seconds when the Ducks' proficiency at the charity stripe sealed the their win. Nazareth finished 17-28 (61 percent) from the free throw line.

In the first half, Nazareth surged to an 18-5 lead in the opening 7:55. Ford ignited the run with the Golden Flyers' first basket on their opening possession. He added another basket and a pair of free throws during the run. Sophomore Dan Morse connected a two-point shot and an attempt from outside the arc, while Mills recorded a basket and two free throws. Nadeau capped the run with a three-pointer.

Nazareth's defense held the Ducks without a field goal for nearly six minutes to begin the half. Stevens used a 16-4 run to pull within a point, 22-21, in a span of about five minutes to get back into the game. After trading baskets, Stevens scored the final points of the period to claim a 31-30 edge at halftime.

In addition to the points from Mills, Ford and Nadeau finished with 15 points and 13 points, respectively. With Mills' 18 boards, the Golden Flyers recorded a 31-27 advantage in total rebounds. Morse tallied a game-high six assists to help start Nazareth's offense.

Patrick Sabatino had a team-high 18 points for Stevens, and Osman (16 points), Alex Lorenz (15 points), and Patrick Barron (11 points) also finished in double-digits in scoring.

The Golden Flyers are back in action again Friday, January 16th when Nazareth hosts Alfred in another Empire 8 contest.