NAZARETH HOLDS ON TO DEFEAT ELMIRA, 68-60
Golden Flyers (7-8) host RIT Tuesday at 8 p.m.
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ELMIRA, N.Y. (Jan. 20, 2007) -- Visiting Nazareth battled a gritty Elmira team to a 68-60 victory. With the win, Nazareth is now 7-8 overall and 2-2 in the Empire 8 while Elmira falls to 2-14 overall and 1-4 in the conference.

The first half remained close as the largest lead was six points when junior Leon Hill connected on a two-point jumper for Nazareth to give the Golden Flyers a 25-19 advantage with five minutes to play in the first half. The Soaring Eagles then went on a 7-0 run over the next 1:52 to to take a 27-26 lead with three minutes remaining in the half. Nazareth quickly answered with baskets by sophomore Jeff DeHimer and Hill to retake the lead 29-26. In the closing seconds of the half, Chris O'Brien made a two-point basket for Elmira to drop Nazareth's lead to one but freshman Rayvon Higdon answered with a three-pointer before the buzzer to give the Golden Flyers a 32-28 advantage at halftime.

Nazareth controlled play through the first 10 minutes of the second half as the Golden Flyers went on a 23-10 run to build a 17 point lead after junior Joe Canori (pictured) connected on a two-point jumper to make the score 55-38. Elmira wasted no time in coming back as it went on 17-2 run in the next six minutes cut Nazareth's lead to 57-55 with 3:53 remaining.

It would be as close as the Eagles would come though as Canori hit a two-point jumper with 3:00 to play to give Nazareth a 59-54 lead. Senior Brian Steves ended Elmira's comeback threat as he hit a two-point basket with :49 left to increase the lead 61-54. The Golden Flyers eventually held on to win 68-60.

Canori was the only Nazareth player who scored in double digits as he had a game-high 23 points. Corey McAdam and Leon Hill each added nine points while DeHimer added eight points and both Tyler Smith and Steves recorded seven points.

David Nelson scored a team-high 13 points for Elmira and KC Mendez added 12. The Soaring Eagles held an 44-36 advantage in rebounds to help keep them in the game.