OSWEGO, N.Y. (nazathletics.com) - Nazareth Men's Basketball (3-1) lost its first game of the season at Oswego State (3-1), 77-66, Saturday afternoon inside Max Ziel Gymnasium. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Jaylen Savage opened Nazareth's scoring with a quick three-pointer before the Golden Flyers generated early momentum with multiple steals, turning defense into offense during a stretch where Solomon McFarlane and Luke Insley created back-to-back takeaways.
• Midway through the first half, Nazareth strung together an 8-0 run fueled by a Savage layup, a transition three from Zachary McFarland and an Insley drive, pushing the Golden Flyers in front 23-20 and then 26-23 after another McFarland triple.
• Savage stayed hot with a pair of threes and a transition layup to extend Nazareth's lead to 33-25 at the 4:10 mark, the team's biggest edge of the afternoon, before Oswego State answered with an 8-0 burst to close the half tied at 33.
• To start the second half, Will Burnett scored on a cut to the rim and McFarlane added a driving layup to briefly regain a 37-35 lead before the Lakers responded immediately with consecutive baskets and a momentum-shifting three that flipped the game.
• A turnover-led run midway through the half pushed Nazareth into a 10-point hole as the opponents began converting second-chance opportunities and fast-break chances that halted the Golden Flyers' rhythm.
• Josh Harter provided a spark with back-to-back scoring drives inside six minutes, trimming the deficit to six while Savage knocked down two free throws shortly after to keep Nazareth within striking distance.
• Despite several late defensive stops and a McFarland jumper in the final two minutes, Nazareth couldn't slow Oswego State's interior scoring or their late free throws, falling 77-66 on the road.

GAME NOTES

• Nazareth went a perfect 9 for 9 from the free-throw line, marking the team's first game this season, and first since going 7 of 7 at Houghton, Feb. 10, 2024, without a miss at the stripe.
• Jaylen Savage led the Golden Flyers offense with 18 points, his second consecutive game with 18 tallies. The senior went 4 for 8 from beyond the arc with five rebounds, three assists and a team-high four steals. 
• Solomon McFarlane added a season-high 15 points with two steals and two rebounds, going 3 of 6 from deep. 
• Zachary McFarland rounded out Nazareth's double-digit scorers with a career-high 15 points. The senior went a perfect 5 for 5 from the free throw line and 3 of 7 from the floor with two steals and an offensive board.  

UP NEXT 
Nazareth hosts the Mark's Pizzeria Crosstown Shootout, Nov. 21-22, inside Kidera Gymnasium. The Golden Flyers face St. Lawrence, Friday, Nov. 21, at 8 p.m. before taking on Rochester, Saturday, Nov. 22, at 4 p.m.

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