Box l Updated Stats
UTICA, NY – Lindsey Kelly and Sam Sorge combined for 37 points as Nazareth defeated Utica College 59-55 on Saturday in a pivotal Empire 8 matchup.  Kelly finished 7-for-11 from the field and grabbed nine rebounds, while Sorge was 6-for-16 and pulled down eight rebounds.
 
Nazareth improves to 12-5 overall and 5-3 in Empire 8 play, while Utica falls to 6-10 and 1-6, respectively.
 
In a closely contested first half, Nazareth took its largest lead at 21-15 following a Veronica Peck 3-pointer. 
 
Kelly, who was 5-of-6 from the charity stripe, nailed two free throws at the end of the second quarter to give the visitors a 33-29 halftime lead.
 
The Golden Flyers most important run of the game came in the third quarter on a 13-5 run.  Sorge connected on two 3-pointers during the stretch to push a 39-36 margin to 52-40 heading into the final frame.
 
Nazareth scored just seven points in the fourth, but was able to hold off a surging Pioneers squad. 
 
As a team, Nazareth shot 34.5 percent (20-of-58) in the game compared to Utica's 32.8 percent (21-of-64).
 
Samantha Peebles notched 14 points of her own (5-of-11) and added six rebounds.
 
Nazareth returns to action on Wednesday when it will travel to Houghton College for an 8 p.m. contest.