ROCHESTER, NY – Sophomore Jadyn Abrams broke a Nazareth College women's basketball scoring record that had lasted more than 40 years as she netted a record 42 points in a game but it was not enough as the Golden Flyers dropped a 76-72 decision to Sage College Saturday afternoon on Mike Daley Court in Kidera Gymnasium.

Abrams scored 19 points in the first half and poured in 23 second half points to nearly bring the Golden Flyers (16-8 overall, 8-5 E8) all the way back from an early double-digit deficit.

Senior Erica Bradley hit a pair of baskets in the closing minutes to narrow the gap to three points each time but Sage (13-11, 9-4 E8) buried 4-of-5 free throws in the final minute to hang on for the victory.

The scoring record was set by Tracy Vanderwall in an 85-66 victory over LeMoyne on December 3, 1979 when the all-time career leading scorer at Nazareth netted 41 points in the win.

Against Sage, Nazareth fell behind early as the Gators took a 24-15 lead after the first 10 minutes of play. The Golden Flyers trimmed the lead by a point with a 16-15 edge in the second quarter as Sage took an eight-point lead 39-31 into the halftime intermission.

A pair of late baskets by Sage in the third quarter allowed the Gators to open up a 12-point lead at 59-47 after 30 minutes.

Abrams hit back-to-back 3-pointers early in the final quarter to cut the lead back to single digits at 63-55.  The sophomore continued the run as she netted 12 straight points for Nazareth to cut the lead to seven points with 6:02 remaining.

Sophomore Caley Cornwell hit a short jumper to trim the lead to five and the teams traded free throws until two by Abrams cut the advantage to four at 70-66 with 3:17 to play.

Nazareth finished the game 19-for-27 from the line but managed just 34 percent (24-for-71) from the field and was out rebounded 54-35.

Nazareth currently sits in third place in the conference standings with Utica a game behind with two games remaining on its schedule. Nazareth finishes the regular season next Saturday at St. John Fisher while Utica plays at home against Houghton and at Sage to finish its schedule. Hartwick (7-6) hosts Elmira in its final regular season contest.