ROCHESTER, NY – Freshman Merritt Holly recorded his sixth double-double of the season (18 points, 11 rebounds) and Tyler Putney led Nazareth with 19 points as Nazareth defeated East Avenue rival 77-64 in the second go around of the Battle of the Beaks. With the Golden Flyers win and a Utica (11-4) victory over SUNY Poly (11-5) by a 80-72 score on Tuesday, Nazareth has secured at least the number 3 seed for the upcoming Empire 8 Championships. The Golden Flyers would move up to the No. 2 seed with Utica loss at Keuka on Wednesday. Nazareth will host either Russell Sage or Houghton in a quarterfinal game at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Febraury 22.

Nazareth is now 16-9 overall and 11-5 in Empire 8 play, while Fisher finishes the year 7-18 overall and 3-13 in league play. 

The Battle of the Beaks contest had all proceeds donated to the Music Therapy program at the Golisano Children's hospital. Nazareth donated over 7,000 dollars from the proceeds from the games.

Nazareth led at halftime 38-32. Fisher led by as many as six at 17-11 and Nazareth by as many as eight at 34-26.

The Golden Flyers took the lead at 23-21 for good at the 9:21 mark behind a layup from Will Burnett.

Putney had eight first half points, while Holly had seven.

In the second half, Fisher was able to hang around until the Golden Flyers went up double digits the rest of the way on a layup from Holly at the 5:14 mark. 

Putney's fifth three-pointer of the game made it 75-57, the largest the lead of the game.

Jaylen Savage finished with 10 points, three steals, and four assists. Luke Insley dished out eight assists.