YORK, Pa (nazathletics.com) - Nazareth Men's Basketball (6-3, 1-0) dropped a narrow contest to undefeated York (8-0) , 80-78, Friday afternoon inside Charles Wolf Gymnasium. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Nazareth set the tempo early, pushing in front 7-3, then extending the margin to 16-12 and 21-18 as the Golden Flyers repeatedly scored inside to keep control of the opening stretch.
• The lead grew to eight late in the first half after a pair of baskets in the paint and a late 3-pointer made it 42-34 before Nazareth carried a 44-38 advantage into halftime.
• The Golden Flyers opened the second half by stretching the lead to 50-44 until the Spartans converted on three possessions to tie it up at 50 with under 16 minutes to play.
• Nazareth answered with another surge, moving back in front 56-50 and later 61-58 on a timely jumper before the score was tied again at 56 and then 58 midway through the half.
• The final eight minutes featured constant swings with Nazareth leading 66-64 and 68-67 before the game was tied at 76 following a late basket in the paint.
• Nazareth knotted the score again at 78 a piece with under a minute remaining but York closed with the final basket in the last seconds to secure an 80-78 decision.

GAME NOTES

• Merritt Holly led the Golden Flyers with a season-high 22 points and 10 rebounds, his third double-double of the season. The sophomore center went 10 of 15 from the field in the loss. 
• Jaylen Savage recorded 19 points with seven rebounds, three assists and one steal, his ninth double-digit scoring performance of the year. 

UP NEXT
Nazareth closes out the 2025 slate at Scranton tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 20. Tip off is slated for 2 p.m. in Scranton, Pa. 

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