Box | Updated stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Nazareth outscored visiting Elmira 39-29 in the second half Tuesday to take a 70-56 women's basketball victory over the Soaring Eagles at the Kidera Gymnasium.

The Golden Flyers, winners in seven of their last nine games, improved to 12-6 overall and 7-2 in the Empire 8. Elmira dropped to 4-13 and 0-8.

Junior Rachel Benedict recorded her 13th double-double of the season as she combined a game-high 22 points with 10 rebounds. Freshman Jadyn Abrams added 14 points and junior Lizzie Straub scored eight.

Nazareth broke the game open by outscoring the Soaring Eagles 24-12 in the third quarter to take a commanding 55-39 advantage. Benedict scored 15 of her points, including a pair of three-point baskets. Elmira scored the first two baskets of the quarter to tie the score at 31-31, but a jumper by Straub gave Nazareth the lead for good and touched off a 24-8 scoring run to close the quarter.  

Nazareth took a 19-10 lead at quarter break as Abrams scored 10 of her points. Elmira scored 10 straight points to open the second quarter to take the lead briefly, but the Golden Flyers scored 10 straight points of their own to regain the lead by halftime at 31-27. Demetria Woodard scored five points to fuel the scoring run and Miyah Sizer had a steal, a basket and a free throw.

The Golden Flyers shot 45.8% overall (27-for-58) and 44.4% from the foul line (8-for-18). Lindsey Heaton led Elmira with 16 points.

Nazareth is back on the road this weekend for Empire 8 Conference games at Sage Friday and at Stevens Saturday.