Updated stats
ALFRED. N.Y. -- Host Alfred outscored Nazareth 18-12 in the five-minute overtime period Saturday to cap off a dramatic second-half rally that lifted the Saxons to a 103-97 men's basketball victory over the Golden Flyers.

On the opening weekend of Empire 8 Conference play, the Golden Flyers had to settle for a disappointing split of games to stand at 1-1 in E8 play and 9-4 overall. Nazareth defeated Houghton, 97-69, on Friday. Alfred, which lost to St. John Fisher Friday, is 7-6 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

In defeat, the Golden Flyers squandered a career-best 29-point effort from sophomore Zach Stenglein, who also contributed four assists and four steals. Junior Stephen Gabel added 26 points and senior Cody Green had 15.

Nazareth was ahead for much of the game and by as many as 15 points in the first half before the Saxons rallied. Nazareth still led by three points, 85-82, after Kevin Underwood sank a pair of free throws with :02 left in regulation. Alfred forced overtime, though, when Brewster Marshall threw in a desperation three-point basket as time expired.

In overtime, Alfred's Sam Dagon scored nine of his game-high 32 points as the Saxons never trailed. The Golden Flyers had several chances, however, but were done in by poor foul shooting as they missed seven foul shots in the second half and five more in overtime to finish 23-for-38 (60.5 percent) overall.  Alfred, meanwhile, cashed in by making 8-of-9 overtime free throws and 28-of-33 (84.8 percent) in the game.

Gabel nailed a deep three-pointer with :20 left in overtime to bring the Golden Flyers to within 101-97, but he misfired on a second attempt following an Alfred turnover moments later that would have trimmed the lead some more. Dagon then made two free throws with :10 left to seal the win for Alfred.

Nazareth got off to a hot start in the first half with Gabel scoring Nazareth's first 11 points (including three three-pointers) for an 11-0 advantage. Gabel nailed yet another three-pointer with 15 minutes left to push the lead to 15 at 23-8. Nazareth maintained its double-digit lead for much of the first half before Alfred used an 8-2 scoring run to close within 49-42 at the break.

Nazareth was still ahead for most of the second half with Green's three-pointer accounting for a 83-78 lead with :48 left in regulation. The Saxons, though, scored seven points in the final 44 seconds, including Marshall's game-tying three-pointer.

Underwood and Isaac Nelson each finished with 10 points for Nazareth and sophomore Jonathan Park, plagued by foul problems for much of the game, finished with a game-high 10 rebounds. Marshall added 21 points for Alfred and Elliott Bowen had 14.

The Golden Flyers are on the road for two more E8 Conference games next weekend. They visit Sage Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Utica Saturday at 2.