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ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Nazareth surged to an early lead and held off a second-half charge by host Elmira to take a 68-59 women's basketball victory over the Soaring Eagles Saturday at the Speidel Gymnasium.

The victory was the fourth straight for the Golden Flyers, who stand at 17-7 overall and 12-3 in Empire 8 Conference action. Elmira dropped to 6-18 overall and 2-13 in the E8. It as Nazareth's second win of the year over the Soaring Eagles.

Junior Erica Bradley led a balanced Nazareth offensive attack with 13 points. Junior Rachel Benedict added 12 points and nine rebounds and junior Lizzie Straub had 11 points.

Nazareth hit three three-point shots in the opening quarter -- one each for Bradley, Benedict and Jadyn Abrams -- and bolted to a 21-7 lead in the first 10 minutes. The lead continued to grow in the second quarter and got as large as 21 points, 35-14, following a pair of free throws by Isabella Gjonaj with 3:28 left. It was 38-18 at halftime.

The Golden Flyers were able to maintain their double digit advantage into the third quarter, but Elmira closed to within 13 points, 50-37, after 30 minutes. Straub and Sarah Simmons each sank three-point baskets in the fourth quarter to preserve Nazaeth's lead and the Golden Flyers went 6-for-9 from the free-throw line to stay ahead.

Overall Nazareth went 24-for-53 (45.2%) from the field and enjoyed a 42-29 rebounding edge. Abrams finished with nine points, Gjonaj and Miyah Sizer eight points each.

Nazareth visits Alfred Tuesday in the regular-season finale at 5:30 p.m.