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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Senior Rachel Benedict produced career-bests in points (32) and rebounds (22) Friday as host Nazareth avenged an earlier loss by holding off Utica, 70-60, in women's basketball.

The Golden Flyers improved to 16-7 overall and 8-4 in the Empire 8 Conference to keep pace with front-running St. John Fisher, which defeated Sage Friday. Utica dropped to 14-8 overall and 7-4 in the E8.

In addition to Benedict's monster night, she also surpassed the 1,000-rebound mark for her career to become just the second Nazareth player (male or female) to have more than 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds. Tracy Cass is the other. She is just six points shy of 1,600 for her career. On Friday, Benedict went 11-for-23 from the field with three three-point baskets and went 7-for-7 from the free throw line. She also passed for four assists.

Nazareth had leads of 18-10 after one quarter and 32-28 at halftime. The Golden Flyers broke the game open with a 23-12 third-quarter scoring spree to take a 55-40 advantage into the final 10 minutes. Erica Bradley also provided a spark off the bench as she scored 11 points overall, including two baskets in the third quarter.

Utica closed to within six points, 62-56, late in the fourth quarter, but Benedict knocked down four free throws in the final minute to preserve the lead. Bradley, Kristen Simmons, Miyah Sizer and Lizzie Straub also made late foul shots. Straub finished with eight points and Simmons added seven. Bradley also dished out four assists.

Nazareth plays again Saturday at home against Sage at 4 p.m.