ROCHESTER, NY (nazathletics.com) - Nazareth Men's Basketball (15-4, 10-1) netted a Merritt Holly buzzer-beater to slip past SUNY Poly (14-5, 7-3), 73-71, Saturday night inside Kidera Gymnasium. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Nazareth set the tone early inside, answering an early deficit with steady paint scoring as Merritt Holly and Dylan Pohl finished around the rim to erase a four-point hole and tie the contest at 14. 
• The first half featured five lead changes, but Nazareth controlled long stretches by scoring on second chances and converting off turnovers, building its largest lead at eight points midway through the half, 28-20. 
• Jaylen Savage sparked a key run at the line, knocking down consecutive free throws to push the lead to six at 30-24 and force a SUNY Poly timeout as Nazareth strung together stops on the defensive end. 
• After SUNY Poly cut the margin late, Zachary McFarland drilled two baskets and Holly finished in transition, helping Nazareth close the half with four points in the final minute and take a 37-33 advantage into the break. 
• The second half swung repeatedly, with Nazareth briefly stretching the lead on paint finishes by Holly and Luke Insley, only to see SUNY Poly answer with scoring runs that erased multiple small advantages.
• In the final three minutes, the score flipped several times as Holly scored through contact, Insley converted in traffic and Nazareth answered every deficit to keep the game tied or within one possession
• After Solomon McFarlane tied the game at 71-71 in the final minute, the Golden Flyers came up with a key defensive stop and an offensive rebound on the final possession. 
• Holly finished the game with a second-chance layup at the buzzer, sealing the two-point win for Nazareth 73-71. 

GAME NOTES 

• Merritt Holly led the Golden Flyers with a career-high 32 points and 10 rebounds for his 10th double-double of the season. The sophomore center shot 13 of 17 from the floor with a team-best three blocks. 
• Jaylen Savage contributed 10 points, three rebounds and two assists. The senior guard has registered double-digit points in each of the Golden Flyers 19 games this season. 
• Luke Insley matched his season-high with 11 assists in the victory. He also chipped in eight points and five rebounds. 

UP NEXT 
Nazareth continues its homestand against SUNY Brockport, Friday, Feb. 6. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. inside Kidera Gymnasium. 

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