ALFRED, N.Y. -- Not unlike Nazareth's women's basketball game which preceded theirs, the Golden Flyers' men's basketball team struggled with its outside shooting Friday at Alfred in a 69-55 loss to the Saxons in Empire 8 Conference action.

The Golden Flyers posted their lowest shooting percentage of the season in going 17-for-53 from the floor (32.1%), including 3-for-21 (14.3%) from three-point range in dropping to 20-4 overall and 12-3 in the E8. Alfred improved to 16-8 overall and 9-6 in the league. Nazareth has dropped three of four after surging to a school-record 17 straight wins. Despite that, Nazareth can clinch second place in the E8 standings with a victory Saturday at Houghton in the teams' regular-season finale. Tip time is 4 p.m.

Stephen Gabel scored a game-high 22 points and made all three of Nazareth's three-point field goals. He also went 9-for-10 from the free throw line. Kevin Underwood added 14 points before fouling out late in the game. Jonathan Park had nine points and nine rebounds.

Nazareth led for a short period early in the game before Alfred surged to a 13-point lead, 33-20, late in the half. A basket by Underwood and two free throws by Park trimmed the halftime advantage to 33-24.

The Golden Flyers chipped away in the second half and closed the deficit to three points on four separate occasions before Alfred pulled away again. A free throw by Gabel enabled Nazareth to draw within 48-45 with 8:38 to go, but Alfred scored the next two baskets.

Nazareth desperately tried to stay in it, but Alfred went 9-for-10 from the free-throw line over the last three minutes to maintain a comfortable margin.

Friday's results solidified the field for next week's Empire 8 Conference Tournament, hosted by Utica Friday and Saturday. Regardless of Saturday's results, Nazareth and St. John Fisher will meet in Friday's semifinals with top-seeded Utica hosting the winner of the Russell Sage-vs.-Alfred play-in game. The championship game is Saturday at Utica.