ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Nazareth Golden Flyers remained undefeated in Empire 8 Conference play, defeating the Houghton Highlanders on Friday night, 88-67. 
 
Nazareth owned the glass, pulling down 13 more rebounds (47-34) than the Highlanders, and outshooting their opponent 49 percent-to-41 percent.
 
The Golden Flyers jumped out to an early lead, pulling ahead by 14 points in the first three minutes of play, but Houghton eventually battled back, reeling off a 14-2 run midway through the first half.  With 7:50 to play, Jordan Holmes sank a pair of free throws to pull the Highlanders within three points.
 
After taking an eight-point lead into the half, Nazareth led by as many as 16 only three minutes into the second half before Houghton again mounted a comeback.  Over the next two minutes, Houghton chiseled the deficit to eight points, capped by a three from Koen Rolleman.
 
Minutes later a three from Brijon Warren would bring Houghton to within seven points, but that would be the closest they would come, as the Golden Flyers pulled away down the stretch.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 67 | Nazareth – 88
Records: Houghton: 0-3 (0-3 Empire 8) | Nazareth: 4-1 (4-0 Empire 8)
Venue: Kidera Gymnasium, Nazareth College | Attendance: 0

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton's Jordan Holmes led all scorers with 17 points, going 5-for-11 from the floor and 2-for-3 from long range.  Holmes continues to close in on 1,000 points for his career, and now needs only 34 more points to accomplish the feat.
 
>> Jonathan Park scored 16 points and grabbed eight boards for the Golden Flyers, while teammates Zach Stenglein and Stephen Gabel chipped in 15 points and eight assists, and 12 points and 14 rebounds, respectively.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center tomorrow afternoon when they will rematch with Nazareth at 2:00 p.m.