NASHVILLE, TN – Senior Rachel Benedict led the Nazareth College women's basketball team with 25 points and 15 rebounds but it was a solid team effort that gave the Golden Flyers an 86-65 win over Bridgewater State Monday afternoon in the second game of the Music City Classic tournament at Trevecca Nazarene University.

Benedict led three players into double figures with her third 20+ point effort in the last four games as she poured in 25 points with 15 in the second half and added 15 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. She also dished out a team-leading six assists.

Sophomore Jadyn Abrams added 14 points and four assists and senior Lizzie Straub was also in double figures with 12 points on four 3-pointers for the Golden Flyers (7-3).

Bridgewater (2-9) took advantage of a slow start by Nazareth and jumped out to a 19-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Bears had an eight-point lead late in the quarter but Abrams hit a 3-pointer and sophomore Kim Davis added a layup to cap the scoring in the opening quarter for the Golden Flyers.

After Bridgewater extended its lead early in the second quarter, Benedict and Straub hit consecutive 3-pointers and sophomore Makalah Sizer hit a pair of free throws to give Nazareth a 22-21 lead.

Another 3-pointer by Benedict made it a four-point lead and also pushed the senior into sixth place on the all-time Nazareth scoring list. Benedict passed Sarah Curley '01 (1,334 points) to move into the sixth spot on the list. She finished the game at 1,348 career points.

A late run by Bridgewater tied the game at 34-34 but sophomore Miyah Sizer hit a driving layup to end the half and give Nazareth a 36-34 edge at the break.

In the third quarter, the Golden Flyers finally started to pull away after Benedict completed a three-point play with a layup and free throw as Nazareth extended its lead to 10 points at 51-41.

In the fourth quarter, Nazareth broke the game open with a 9-2 run to start the period as Benedict scored five points and senior Isabella Gjonaj added four as the Golden Flyer lead grew to 15 points.

Abrams and Straub added 3-pointers later in the quarter to help Nazareth build a 20-point lead and the Golden Flyers cruised to the win.

The 30-points in the final quarter represented the highest quarter total in more than two years. The Golden Flyers last scored 30 in a quarter against Wells December 8, 2016.

Nazareth returns home and will face Alfred State next Monday before opening Empire 8 play at home against Houghton Jan. 10.