ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Graduate student Kevin Underwood scored a game-high 21 points and senior Zach Stenglein added 20 as Nazareth held off a late surge by visiting Buffalo State to record a 70-65 victory in non-conference men's basketball action Tuesday at the Kidera Gymnasium.

The game marked the regular-season opener for both teams, who missed most of the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Junior Jordan Haggard added 13 points and senior Jonathan Park had 12 points with a career-high 22 rebounds and four blocks in a wild and physical men's basketball opener.

Neither team was at its best in terms of outside shooting. Nazareth went 23-for-69 (.333) from the field overall, including 3-for-16 from three-point range. Buffalo State was only slightly better in going 26-for-74 (.351) from the field and 1-for-20 from three-point range. Nazareth also enjoyed a whopping 63-39 rebounding advantage, thanks to Park and freshman Jack Broderick, who grabbed nine.

The visitors got off to a good start in surging to a 9-2 lead in the first three minutes. Nazareth managed to stay close and eventually tied the score at 23-23 on a basket by Haggard with 7:34 left in the half. A pair of free throws by Jack Broderick gave Nazareth a one-point lead at 29-28 late in the half. Then a basket by Haggard and two free throws from Stenglein made it 33-30 Nazareth at the half.

Nazareth never trailed in the second half and managed to stay ahead as Underwood scored 18 of his points, including a rare three-point field goal, and Stenglein added 13, including a three-pointer.

It was a jumper by Stenglein with 10:30 left that gave the Golden Flyers their largest lead of the game at 52-40. The Bengals kept it close and eventually tied the score at 60-60 on a basket by Aaron Davis (14 points) with 2:57 left. Nazareth regained the lead on a basket and a three-pointer by Underwood to make it 65-60. Stenglein made three foul shots in the final minute and Underwood added two more to preserve the win.

Nazareth is back at home this weekend to host the Mike Daley Tip-Off Tournament with games Friday and Saturday. The Golden Flyers play Cazenovia Friday at 8 p.m. That game will be preceded by Rensselaer vs. Medaille at 6 p.m. The consolation and championship games are Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m. respectively.