NAZARETH OUTLASTS HARTWICK, 92-87
Golden Flyers (8-9) host Utica Saturday at 4 p.m.
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Jan. 26, 2007) -- Five Nazareth players finished in double figures for scoring Friday as the Golden Flyers held on to defeat Hartwick in a hard-fought men's basketball at the Kidera Gymnasium, 92-87.

The Golden Flyers improved to 8-9 overall and evened their Empire 8 Conference record at 3-3. Hartwick remains winless in conference play at 0-6. The Hawks are 7-10 overall.

As has been their style this season, the Golden Flyers built a large lead and had to fend off a late charge by Hartwick to prevail. Nazareth led by as many as 21 points early in the second half before Hartwick embarked on a 24-6 scoring run to close within three with 6:46 to play.

Nazareth led 48-37 at halftime and extended that advantage to 68-47 on a basket by Leon Hill (pictured) with 13:28 to play. Hartwick then unleashed a ferocious full-court press to assist the Hawks in getting back in the game. The 24-6 scoring run was completed when Hartwick's Jan Cocozziello (39 points) made a layup to make the score 74-71. Nazareth's Joe Canori (28 points) made a basket and three free throws to push Nazareth's lead back to eight, 79-71, with 5:53 left.

Hartwick continued to battle and got back to within four, 89-85, on a basket by Ramon Doyley with :56 left. Freshman Corey McAdam made three free throws for the Golden Flyers in the closing seconds to seal the win.

The game was physical throughout and featured 48 total fouls, including a pair of bench technicals on Hartwick. The Golden Flyers also survived a tough shooting night from Canori, who still managed to score 28 points on 6 for 26 shooting. He also went 13 for 17 from the free throw line. Cocozziello's 39 points came on 11 for 28 shooting from the field and 15 for 18 from the free throw line.

McAdam finished wth 17 points and six assists, Tyler Smith added 15 points, Jeff DeHimer 10 and Hill delivered 10 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

Nazareth returns to action Saturday to play conference-leader Utica at 4 p.m. (WHTK-AM 1280 / www.whtk.com).