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ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Junior Rachel Benedict and sophomore Isabella Gjonaj each posted double-doubles for host Nazareth Saturday as the Golden Flyers prevailed over Clarkson in a non-conference women's basketball game at the Kidera Gymnasium, 54-48.

Benedict combined game-highs in points (16) and rebounds (18) and Gjonaj contributed 11 points and 12 boards as the Golden Flyers improved to 5-4 in the final game of 2018. Hannah Earl had 15 points and 12 rebounds for Clarkson, which slipped to 3-5 overall. The Golden Knights play at D'Youville Sunday.

Both teamS had been idle for long stretches and it showed with the first-half shooting percentages. Playing for the first time in nine days, Nazareth led 17-16 at the half after making just 6-of-34 first-half shots (17.6%), including just 1-of-9 from three-point range. Clarkson, playing for the first time in 21 days, made just 8-of-35 shots (22.9%) and went 0-for-9 from three-point range.

In the third quarter, Nazareth got a big boost off the bench from freshman Caley Cornwell, who nailed a pair of three-pointers on consecutive possessions. Benedict scored on the possession after that as the Golden Flyers surged to a nine-point lead, 27-18, with 3:49 left in the third. Nazareth still led by nine, 30-21, following a basket and a free throw by Gjonaj in the closing minute, but Clarkson's Emma Buonanno made two free throws with :18 left to pull the Golden Knights to within 30-23 heading into the final 10 minutes. 

Both teams finally found their shooting strokes in the fourth quarter. Clarkson was held without a three-point basket before making three in the fourth quarter to stay close. Benedict countered for Nazareth by scoring 12 of her points in the fourth.

Buonanno scored for Clarkson on back-to-back possessions to give the Golden Knights their first lead since early in the first quarter, 46-45, with 1:38 left. Lizzie Straub hit a big three-pointer that enabled Nazareth to regain the lead, but Clarkson tied it again at 48-48 on its next possession. Benedict then scored the game-winning basket with :46 left and she added four foul shots in the closing seconds to preserve the win.

Straub and freshman Jadyn Abrams each scored nine points. Abrams and Elizabeth White each had three assists. Gjonaj also had four blocks.

Nazareth's next game is Jan. 4 when the Golden Flyers host Hartwick in the teams' Empire 8 Conference opener at 5:30 p.m.