ALFRED, N.Y. (nazathletics.com) - Nazareth Women's Basketball (4-2, 1-0) powered past Alfred (5-2, 0-1), 67-39, for the team's first Empire 8 win Saturday afternoon inside Terry S. Galanis Family Area. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Nazareth opened the first quarter with steady interior scoring, using early layups from Sarina McDowell and Molly Benetti to take a 16-10 lead while holding Alfred without a field goal over the final minute.
• The Golden Flyers created separation in the second quarter with a 6-0 run highlighted by a Morgan Caraballo layup and a Benetti finish, pushing the margin to 20-10 as Nazareth repeatedly capitalized in transition.
• Nazareth continued to control the second quarter by scoring on three straight possessions late in the frame, including a strong drive from McDowell and free throws from Katie MacLachlan, extending the advantage to 34-20 after two quarters.
• MacLachlan ignited the third quarter with 15 points, including back-to-back threes, as Nazareth outscored Alfred 21-8 to stretch the lead to 55-28 behind efficient offense and constant defensive pressure.
• The Golden Flyers forced nine turnovers in the third, converting several into fast-break layups from McDowell, Kiara Anglin and Benetti to firmly break the game open.
• Benetti added two put-back layups in the fourth quarter as Nazareth maintained control and pushed its largest lead to 29 with 9:19 remaining before securing the 67-39 win.

GAME NOTES 

• Nazareth's defense dominated the Saxons, holding Alfred to just 21.4 percent shooting and just 2 of 25 from three. The Golden Flyers forced 22 turnovers, including nine in the third quarter, and scored 25 points off those takeaways.
• Katie MacLachlan led Nazareth with a season-high 23 points as she went 7 for 15 from the field and 5 of 11 from beyond the arc. MacLachlan added four rebounds, three steals and two assists. 
• Molly Benetti notched her second double-double of the year with 16 points and 10 rebounds, her third double-digit scoring performance this season. Benetti chipped in two assists and two steals. 
• Sarina McDowell rounds out Nazareth's double figure scorers with 14 points after she shot 6 of 11 from the floor, her fourth game in double digits this year. 

UP NEXT 
Nazareth hosts the Sandy DeWolf McCormack Holiday Tournament, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13-14. The Golden Flyers face Westminster, Saturday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m. inside Kidera Gymnasium before competing again in either the consolation or championship game, Sunday, Dec. 14, at 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. 

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