Box l Updated Stats

HOBOKEN, NJ – Fourth-seeded Nazareth let a halftime lead slip away after shooting 21 percent in the second half, as top-seeded Stevens earned a 76-61 victory Friday night in the Empire 8 semifinals.

Nazareth closes out the season with an 18-8 record under first year head coach Kelly Dunne.  Stevens moves onto the championship on Saturday, taking on either No. 2 St. John Fisher or third-seeded Ithaca.

The Golden Flyers were an impressive 58.3 percent in the opening half on 14-of-24 from the floor. 

Nazareth built its largest lead of the game in the first quarter following a layup from Colby McCartney, making it 16-8 in favor of the visitors.     
    
Stevens used a 12-4 run to even the score at 20 heading into the second.

Lindsey Kelly scored 18 of her 20 points in the first half, including draining two 3-pointers in the second quarter.  She also had 11 rebounds in the game for her 15^th double-double of the season.
Despite outshooting Hartwick 58 percent to 44 percent, the Golden Flyers led by just one, 37-36, at the break.

The Ducks came out strong to open the third, building a 44-37 lead just three minutes in.  Nazareth, however, responded with an 8-0 run of its own to take a 45-44 lead.

On the ensuing possession, the Ducks converted a bucket, before McCartney answered with two points of her own to reclaim a 47-46 advantage with four minutes remaining.   That would be the last lead Nazareth would have in the game as it went cold from the field.

The Golden Flyers scored just two more points in the quarter as Stevens took a 59-49 advantage into the final frame.

Nazareth trailed by double digits the rest of the contest.

Julia Brew poured in 12 points (4-of-12), while Sorge finished with 10 points (3-of-10).

Veronica Peck added seven points, to go along with four assists.