GOLDEN FLYERS FALL AT FISHER, 69-61
Golden Flyers (8-11) visit Alfred Saturday at 4 p.m.
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Feb. 2, 2007) -- Visiting Nazareth followed a familiar, and disappointing, pattern Friday at St. John Fisher as the Golden Flyers led for a good portion of the game before the Cardinals rallied for a 69-61 men's basketball victory.

The loss dropped the Golden Flyers to 3-5 in Empire 8 Conference games and 8-11 overall. Fisher is 6-2 in the Empire 8 and 15-4 overall.

As has been the case in many games this season, the Golden Flyers built a double digit lead and could not hold on. Nazareth had a 22-12 lead with 8:19 to play in the first half following a jumper by Joe Canori (nine points), who failed to score in double figures for just the second time this season.

Nazareth still held a 28-22 lead at the break as junior Leon Hill scored eight of 10 points. The Golden Flyers maintained a single-digit advantage until a three-pointer by Fisher's Dan Mueller (21 points) gave the Cardinals their first lead of the half, 40-39, with 13:37 left.

The lead seesawed back and forth with Nazareth taking its last advantage, 57-56, on a bucket by freshman Corey McAdam (pictured) with 5:33 left. Nazareth was limited to just four free throws the rest of the way -- three by McAdam, one by Canori -- as Fisher took control.

Isaiah Smalt made a free throw to tie the score, then Tim Coyne made two more free throws as Fisher secured the lead for good, 58-57, with 5:14 to play. Freshman Chris Baltz then nailed a three-pointer to expand the lead to five points, 62-57.

Fisher sealed the win by making free throws in the final minute. Mueller made three and Coyne two to preserve the win.

McAdam led Nazareth with 18 points. Senior Brian Steves came off the bench to add 11 and Hill finished with 10 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Mueller's 21 points was complemented by 13 from Baltz and eight points and 10 rebounds apiece from Smalt and Dan McSweeney.

Nazareth returns to action Saturday for another Empire 8 contest at Alfred at 4 p.m. (WHTK-AM 1280 / www.whtk.com). Fisher hosts RIT.