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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Host Nazareth raced to a 16-4 first-quarter lead and extended that advantage to 34-11 by halftime as the Golden Flyers cruised to a 58-37 women's basketball victory over Alfred Friday on Mike Daley Court at the Kidera Gymnasium.

The Golden Flyers won for the third straight time to improve to 13-6 overall and 5-3 in the Empire 8 Conference. Alfred dropped to 5-14 overall and 1-7 in the E8. It was Nazareth's second win over the Saxons this season.

Nazareth paid tribute to its six seniors -- Rachel Benedict, Erica Bradley, Delaney Martin, Kristen Simmons, Lizzie Straub and Demetria Woodard -- prior to the game. All but Benedict started with Bradley and Woodard contributing six points each. Straub added five and Benedict had a team-best 11 points in 23 minutes off the bench. In doing so, she surpassed 1,500 points in career scoring.

Alfred scored the first basket of the game, then Nazareth reeled off the next 14 points, capped by a three-pointer by Jadyn Abrams, to build a commanding advantage.

Benedict opened the second quarter by canning a three-pointer as Nazareth's lead continued to grow. Woodard converted a three-point play with 2:15 left in the half to extend the lead to 21 points at 32-11. Elizabeth White scored before the half ended to make it 34-11 at the break.

The Golden Flyers were never seriously challenged in the second half. The lead reached 25 points on two occasions in the second half -- in the third quarter following a basket and a free throw by Bradley and in the fourth quarter on a three-point basket by Caley Cornwell, who corralled a team-best nine rebounds.

Nazareth is back in action Saturday for another Empire 8 Conference matchup at Houghton at 4 p.m.