ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Nazareth's men's basketball team held off visiting Sage 82-78 in an Empire 8 basketball game on Saturday afternoon. Senior Jake Burgio tallied a pair of free throws with 10 seconds to play in regulation to give the Golden Flyers a four-point advantage and help seal the victory. Classmate Tyler Stenglein finished with a team-high 23 points.

With the win, Nazareth improves to 9-3 overall and 4-0 in Empire 8 games. Following the loss, the Gators drop to 5-9 overall and 1-4 in conference games.

The final eight minutes of regulation featured six lead changes and three ties after the Golden Flyers led through most of the first 32 minutes. Sage took its first lead of the game, 67-66 with 7:38 to play, following a three-pointer by Darius Denmark.

During the next six minutes, the teams traded baskets that prevented either team from building more than a two-point edge. Stenglein connected on a three-pointer from the left wing to stretch Nazareth's lead to 80-76 with 1:33 left in regulation to give Nazareth a two-possession lead.

The Golden Flyers had three players finish in double-digits in addition to Stenglein. Burgio finished with 16 points while junior Cody Green had 11 points and senior Chris Jones had 10 points. Senior Brendan Wind and sophomore Kevin Underwood tallied six points apiece to contribute to Nazareth's balanced offensive attack.

In the first half, Nazareth led throughout most of the period and stretched its lead to 11 points three times. The Golden Flyers built their initial lead following baskets by senior Chris Jones, sophomore Stephen Gabel, Underwood, and Burgio. Underwood and Stenglein each contributed a pair of free throws as well. The scoring run extended Nazareth's lead from 12-11 to 28-17 midway through the half.

Sage trimmed its deficit to five points, 44-39 at the break, following a three-pointer by Denmark with 12 seconds to play in the period.

Each team finished with 32 total rebounds. Jones had had a team-high nine boards for the Golden Flyers. Nazareth's defense forced the Gators into 12 turnovers while the Golden Flyers committed seven.

Chris Kidd amassed a game-high 27 points and 11 rebounds to lead Sage.

Nazareth is in action again on January 15th when the Golden Flyers host Alfred at 7:30 p.m. in another Empire 8 contest.