HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- Nazareth used a 30-7 scoring run that spanned almost eight minutes to turn a 20-12 deficit into a 42-27 lead to take control of Saturday's Empire 8 conference game against host Houghton. The Golden Flyers, led by graduate student Stephen Gabel and seniors Zach Stenglein and Jonathan Park, went on to defeat the Highlanders 92-65. Gabel, Stenglein, and Park amassed 60 points to nearly match Houghton's total.

With the victory, Nazareth improves to 21-4 overall and 13-3 in Empire 8 games. Following the loss, the Highlanders drop to 4-21 overall and 4-12 in conference games. The Golden Flyers finish the regular season as the second seed and will play third-seeded St. John Fisher Friday night at 7:30 in the Empire 8 Tournament. The game will be played at Utica as the Pioneers finished first in the standings. Nazareth and Fisher split their games during the regular season.

The Golden Flyers' run started midway through the first half with a trio of layups as Gabel, graduate student Kevin Underwood, and Park each scored from inside to cut Nazareth's deficit to 20-18. Graduate student Brendan Broderick connected on consecutive three-point attempts, first from the right side then from the top of the key, to give the Golden Flyers the lead. Following a pair of layups from Park, freshman Gabe Lucarelli connected on a jumper moments after entering the game.

Nazareth's defense fueled it's offense to continue the run as Underwood came away with a steal under the Golden Flyers' basket, then Gabel connected on a three-pointer in transition. After another three by Stenglein, Park's jumper capped the run with 3:05 to play in the half and Nazareth leading by 15 points, 42-27.

The Golden Flyers led by double-digits throughout the second half and stretched their lead to a game-high 32 points, 88-56, following an open three pointer by graduate student Isaac Nelson.

Nazareth connected on more than 51 percent of its shots and finished with 11 three-pointers on 26 attempts (42%). Park was 9 of 9 from the field as he chased the school record for the most baskets without a miss. Jack Giles set the record in 2014 when he went 13-13 against St. John Fisher. Additionally, Park collected a game-high 15 rebounds as he helped the Golden Flyers to a 40-34 advantage on the glass.

In addition to the points from Gabel, Stenglein, and Park, Underwood and Brendan Broderick contributed 10 points and nine points, respectively.