Courtesy: Nazareth Athletics
Nazareth put forth its best offensive performance of the men’s basketball season Saturday as the Golden Flyers raced past Russell Sage in an Empire 8 Conference game, 94-63.
Combined with a one-sided 81-44 win at Hartwick Friday, the Golden Flyers were able to complete a weekend sweep of E8 games to extend their winning streak to nine games while running their overall record to 11-1. Nazareth is 3-0 in conference play. Russell Sage dropped to 6-5 overall and 0-2 in the E8.
Nazareth’s 94 points was its highest output of the season and the Golden Flyers’ 59.0 percent shooting from the field was by far its best through 12 games. Nazareth made 36 of 61 shots, including 10 of 17 (58.8%) from three-point range.
Zach Stenglein led all scorers with a season-high 25 points on 10-for-14 shooting with four three-pointers, four rebounds and a pair of steals. Logan Blankenberg also knocked down four three-pointers on his way to a career-high 18 points. He went 6-for-11 from the floor and 4-for-6 from three-point range and grabbed a team-best eight rebounds.
Nazareth also got double-digit offensive production from Stephen Gabel (14 points) and Kevin Underwood (12).
Nazareth was ahead by as many as 19 points in the first half before settling for a 42-30 advantage through 20 minutes. Stenglein scored 12 of his points in the first half, including two three-point baskets. Blankenberg added 11.
The second half posed few difficulties for the Golden Flyers, who continued to pad their lead. A free throw by Stenglein with 14:20 left stretched the lead to 20, 59-39, then Gabel followed with a three-pointer to extinguish any Gator comeback aspirations.
Nazareth went 21-for-32 (65.6%) from the field in the second half with six three-pointers.
The Golden Flyers are on the road again Friday when they visit Elmira for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off. Nazareth also hosts Utica Saturday at 4 p.m.
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