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ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Junior Stephen Gabel scored 26 points to lead a balanced offensive attack for visiting Nazareth Saturday as the Golden Flyers defeated Elmira in an Empire 8 men's basketball matchup, 95-89.

The victory was the eighth in a row for the Golden Flyers, who also have won 11 of their last 12 and stand at 17-4 overall and 8-1 in conference play. Elmira is 2-19 and 1-9 in the Empire 8. Nazareth also defeated the Soaring Eagles, 75-62, on Jan. 25 at Nazareth.

Gabel went 9-for-13 from the field for the Golden Flyers and 3-for-4 from three-point range and was one of five Nazareth players to record double-digit point totals. He also grabbed six rebounds. Sophomore Zach Stenglein added 18 points, including a 10-for-11 showing at the free throw line to go with three assists and three blocks. Isaac Nelson and Kevin Underwood each scored 14 points and combined to shoot 11-for-13 from the field with Nelson knocking down a pair of three-pointers. Jonathan Park combined 12 points with eight rebounds.

The Golden Flyers were in control most of the way and were ahead by as many as 21 points, 74-53, following a three-pointer by Nelson with 8:17 to go. Elmira slowing chipped away at the Nazareth lead and closed to within single digits in the closing minute. Nazareth was able to preserve the win as Gabel made two free throws with :26 left and Stenglein made three more later on.

Nazareth shot well overall by connecting on 33 of 55 field goal attempts (60 percent), including 6-of-11 three-pointers (54.5 percent). The Golden Flyers also went 23-for-28 (82.1 percent) from the foul line.

The victory enabled Nazareth maintain its grip on first place in the E8 standings as it holds the head-to-head tiebreaker with St. John Fisher, which also stands at 9-1. Nazareth visits Hartwick Sunday at 2 p.m. while Fisher plays at Elmira.