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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Top-seeded Nazareth used a 26-15 scoring run over the final 10 minutes of the game Friday to pull away from fourth-seeded Sage to take a hard-fought 95-85 men's basketball victory over the Gators in an Empire 8 Conference playoff game played on Mike Daley Court at the Kidera Gymnasium.

Nazareth's third victory of the season over the Gators boosted the Golden Flyers' record to 21-5 overall and advanced them to Saturday's E8 title game at 4 p.m. against St. John Fisher. Saturday's winner gains an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Friday's win featured more scoring balance from a Golden Flyers team that has five players who have double digit scoring averages. Zach Stenglein had 24 points with five assists and Stephen Gabel added 23 points with four assists and four three-point baskets. Cody Green had six three-pointers for 18 points and Jonathan Park had a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Kevin Underwood came off the bench to score 12 points. Sage's Jalon Borders led all scorers with 34 points, the second highest single-game point total in Sage history.

The game was tight throughout with Sage holding a one-point lead, 70-69, following a basket by Charles Davis with 11 minutes left. Gabel and Stenglein answered for Nazareth with consecutive three-pointers (two of 13 three-pointers that Nazareth made) and the Golden Flyers never trailed again.

Sage stayed close, but Gabel hit another three-pointer with 5:36 left and Stenglein sank a pair of free throws with 4:43 to go to push Nazareth's lead to double digits at 88-78. Sage fought back to within five points, 89-84, following two free throws by Davis with 2:22 left. Stenglein had a basket and two free throws and Park had two more free throws in the closing seconds to preserve the victory.

Nazareth started the game by scoring the first 11 points with Green, Stenglein and Gabel each hitting three-pointers to give Nazareth the early advantage. Sage, however, showed resilience in hitting 17 of 31 first-half shots to tie the game at 46-46 at halftime. Gabel and Stenglein each scored 11 points in the first half and Borders had 17 for Sage.

Nazareth led for much of the second half, but the Gators proved to be a tough out in keeping the score close. Nazareth benefited from hitting 13 three-point shots in 29 attempts (44.8 percent) and went 31-for-60 from the field (51.7 percent) overall.

At 21 wins, Nazareth has its highest win total since the 2002-03 season. On Saturday, the Golden Flyers will be seeking their second E8 title in three years and their fourth overall. They also won in 2010 and 2008.