ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Nazareth's Rachel Benedict turned in the type of performance Friday night that earned her the 2018-19 Empire 8 Player of the Year, scoring 23 points and grabbing eight rebounds as the Golden Flyers defeated the Houghton Highlanders, 90-47.
 
Nazareth dominated the opening minutes, jumping out to an early 22-5 lead.  The Highlanders quickly battled back, closing the opening quarter on a 9-2 run, capped by a pair of free throws by Alexis Klohr that trimmed the Golden Flyers lead to 10 points.
 
The teams traded baskets over the first several minutes of the second quarter before Nazareth found its shooting touch, building a 21-point lead at the break.
 
The second half brought much of the same, as the Golden Flyers continued to have the hot hand, stretching their lead, while Houghton struggled to find an offensive rhythm. 
 
Caitlyn Cybart finished with 13 points and eight rebounds for the Highlanders.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 47 | Nazareth – 90
Records: Houghton: 2-10 (0-1 Empire 8) | Nazareth: 9-3 (1-0 Empire 8)
Venue: Kidera Gymnasium, Nazareth College | Attendance: 150

NOTABLE STATS
>> Caitlyn Cybart reached double-digits in the point column for the fourth straight game, and the sixth time this year.  In her last four games she has scored 54 points, double the total points that she scored (27) in her first two seasons as a Highlander.
 
>> Emie Taylor grabbed 10 rebounds, the fifth time she has pulled down at least 10 boards in a game this season.  She is currently averaging 9.1 rebounds per game.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center tomorrow afternoon when they will host the St. John Fisher Cardinals at 4:00 p.m.