TROY, NY – Host Sage won the first-ever conference matchup Tuesday night over the Golden Flyers, using a fourth quarter push to earn a 75-73 victory.  Samantha Peebles led all scorers with 27 points on 9-for-12 from the floor, to go along with six rebounds and three assists.

Nazareth falls to 3-6 overall and 0-1 in Empire 8 play with the loss, while the Gators move to 6-3 and 1-0, respectively.  

After being tightly contested for the first three quarters, Sage was able to build its largest lead at 62-54 at the midway point of the fourth.

The Golden Flyers came within three points at 66-63 with 1:30 left on the clock following Peebles converting a traditional 3-point play. 

Sage opened up its lead to as many as seven points down the stretch, before late 3-pointers from Erica Bradley and Kristen Simmons brought the final tally to 75-73.

Peebles started 3-of-4 from the field, scoring nine of the Golden Flyers first 18 points for a two-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

Nazareth struggled from 3-point land in the opening half, going 0-for-8. 

Despite the poor shooting from distance, the Golden Flyers finished the half 13-of-32 (40.6 percent).  Sage connected on 50 percent in the half (13-of-26) to take a one point lead into the break, 31-30.

With just over two minutes remaining in the third quarter, Nazareth finally connected on a 3-pointer, as Rose Pedretti evened the score at 42 apiece.  Pedretti scored in double figures for the first time in her sophomore season and tied a career-high in points with 10 (4-for-5).

Rachel Benedict poured in 11 points (5-for-14) and grabbed eight rebounds.

Delaney Martin pitched in eight points and six boards, while Lizzie Straub notched seven points.

Nazareth returns to action on Friday, traveling to Utica College for an 8 p.m. conference matchup.