Nazareth College Athletics

TROY, NY (nazathletics.com) - Nazareth Women's Basketball (2-1) was handed its first loss of the season by RPI (1-0), 88-68, Friday night inside ECAV Arena. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Nazareth opened the game with a 4-0 lead as Kaitlyn Milham and Madalyn Kelly scored consecutive driving layups. RPI responded with a 7-0 run to take its first lead before Milham added another basket to put the Golden Flyers back in front, 6-5.
• RPI took control with a 13-0 run to build a 15-6 advantage midway through the first quarter. Allison Bell helped Nazareth get back into the game, scoring a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws before adding another basket to cut the deficit to 19-12. RPI led 22-17 after the opening quarter.
• RPI extended its lead to 32-21 midway through the second quarter. Nazareth answered with a 3-pointer from Payton Littlefield and consecutive baskets from Sarina McDowell to trim the deficit to 32-26.
• Bell added a driving layup and a free throw to bring Nazareth within four, while Megan Tyler and Natalie Mai scored late baskets to send the Golden Flyers into halftime trailing 38-34.
• RPI opened the third quarter with a 9-0 run to extend its advantage to 47-34. Milham answered with a fast-break layup, and Mai connected from 3-point range to help Nazareth chip away at the deficit.
• Littlefield and Mai added consecutive 3-pointers before Mai scored on a driving layup and converted three free throws, pulling Nazareth within 55-53. RPI responded with a basket and a series of second-chance opportunities to close the quarter on a 13-4 run and take a 70-57 lead.
• Madalyn Kelly opened the fourth quarter with a layup, but RPI answered with a 3-pointer and continued to build its advantage. Bell converted a pair of free throws and McDowell added a second-chance layup as Nazareth tried to stay within reach.
• RPI pushed its lead to 82-62 with just over four minutes remaining. Bell and Mai added late free throws, and Mai scored on a fast-break layup, but Nazareth could not close the gap as RPI secured the 88-68 win.

GAME NOTES 

• Allison Bell and Natalie Mai led the Golden Flyers with 17 points apiece, the second double-digit performances in three games for the Golden Flyer newcomers. Bell shot 10-of-14 (.714) from the free throw line with five rebounds while Mai went 63 percent (5-for-8) from the field and 67 percent (2-of-3) from three. 
• Sarina McDowell picked up her second double-double of the young season with 13 points and a team-high 10 rebounds

UP NEXT 
Nazareth continues nonconference action at Oswego State, Saturday, Nov. 19. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Oswego, NY. 

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