Nazareth College Athletics

ROCHESTER, NY (nazathletics.com) - Nazareth Men's Basketball (1-0) outlasted Keystone (0-1), 74-73, in the team's season opener Friday night inside Kidera Gymnasium.  

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Nazareth fell behind 6-0 early before Nick Purdie got the Golden Flyers on the board with a layup. Josh Harter converted two free throws following a technical foul to make it 6-4.Justin Cohen, Dylan Pohl, Nico Parlanti and Purdie helped Nazareth work its way back into the game. Harter's jumper gave the Golden Flyers their first lead at 18-17 with 8:27 remaining in the half.
• Keystone responded with a run to regain the lead, but baskets from Cohen, Merritt Holly and Purdie kept Nazareth within reach. Keystone eventually built a 37-27 advantage with 1:47 remaining. Harter scored back-to-back baskets in the closing minutes to cut the deficit to 37-31 at halftime.
• Keystone scored first after the break to go up 39-31, but Corey Faines sparked Nazareth's comeback with two baskets and a 3-pointer to pull the Golden Flyers within one at 39-38. Faines continued to lead the charge, scoring again to give Nazareth a 42-41 lead. After the teams traded baskets, Dylan Pohl converted two second-chance opportunities, and Harter added two free throws to help Nazareth build a 48-44 advantage.
• Harter and Faines helped extend the lead to 52-44, but Keystone answered to pull within two. Holly and Faines kept Nazareth in front, with Faines knocking down a 3-pointer to make it 59-53. Nazareth continued to maintain its advantage as Holly and Harter added baskets. Faines connected on another 3-pointer with 4:27 remaining to push the lead to 66-58, and Parlanti extended it to 68-58.
• Faines and Holly converted late free throws to help keep Nazareth in front. Harter added a layup with 41 seconds remaining to make it 74-68, and the Golden Flyers held off a late rally to secure the 74-73 season-opening victory.

GAME NOTES 

• Corey Faines led the Golden Flyers with 22 points in his collegiate debut, shooting 8-of-15 (.533) from the floor and 3-for-6 (.500) from three. He added six rebounds, two steals, two assists and a block. 
• Josh Harter registered a career-best 17 points over the Giants, dishing out a team-best eight assists while shooting 6-of-13 (.462) from the field. 
• Merritt Holly picked up his first double-double of the year with 14 points and 12 rebounds in the win. 

UP NEXT 
Nazareth advances to tomorrow's Mike Daley Memorial Tournament Championship game vs. SUNY Canton. Tip off is slated for 4 p.m. 

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