ELMIRA RALLIES TO TOP NAZARETH, 71-66
Golden Flyers finish 8-17 overall
BOXSCORE | UPDATED STATS

ELMIRA, N.Y. (Feb. 19, 2005) – Nazareth's 2004-05 men's basketball season ended on a disappointing note Saturday as host Elmira rallied past the Golden Flyers, 71-66.

The Golden Flyers cruised to a 42-31 halftime lead and expanded that advantage to as many as 16 points in the second half, before the Soaring Eagles rallied.

Elmira's Micah Owens sank a pair of free throws with :10 left to enable the Soaring Eagles to regain the lead for the first time in the second half, 67-66. Nazareth tried to set up a game-winning play, but turned the ball over without a shot. Elmira's Charles Henry then added four more foul shots in the closing seconds.

Nazareth shot 59 percent from the field in the first half (18-for-31) to surge to a seemingly safe 42-31 lead. Freshman Joe Canori made all four of his first-half shots and scored 10 of his 15 points to lead Nazareth. Junior Caswell Smith also made four shots without a miss for eight points.

Nazareth's lead continued to grow in the second half and reached a high of 16 points, 55-39, on a three-point basket by Ryan McAdam (pictured) with 14:08 left. Elmira pecked away at Nazareth's lead, but the Golden Flyers were still ahead by five, 66-61, when Canori hit a three-pointer with 2:29 to play. Nazareth missed shots on its next three trips and didn't score again

Two free throws by Serge Clement and a jumper by Albert Davis pulled Elmira to within one, 66-65, to set the stage for Owens' two clutch free throws.

McAdam led Nazareth with 17 points. Canori had 15. Tyler Smith and Caswell Smith each had eight. The loss ended Nazareth's season at 8-17 overall, 3-11 in Empire 8 Conference play.