ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Nazareth Golden Flyers provided all the distance they would need in the first half, outscoring the Houghton Highlanders by 19 points in the first 20 minutes, as they picked up their second straight Empire 8 win, 79-61.
 
Nazareth shot over 50 percent from the floor in both halves, and committed only 10 turnovers on the night, while Houghton struggled to find any sense of offensive rhythm early on, knocking down only 32 percent of their shots in the first half.
 
By the break, the Golden Flyers held a commanding, 45-26, lead.
 
Houghton would find their feet in the second half, outscoring Nazareth by a point, as their shooting improved to over 46 percent, but the damage had already been done.  Houghton would never pull closer than a 15-point deficit in the second half.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 61 | Nazareth – 79
Records: Houghton: 3-7 (0-1 Empire 8) | Nazareth: 7-3 (2-0 Empire 8)
Venue: Kidera Gymnasium, Nazareth University | Attendance: 156

NOTABLE STATS
>> Tyson Clark once again turned in an incredibly efficient outing, scoring a team-high 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including 3-for-3 from three-point range and 2-for-2 from the line.
 
>> Lou Bellamy recorded 13 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals, while Jake Verschoyle added 10 points, three assists and two steals.
 
>> Merritt Holly led the Golden Flyers with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Jaylen Savage also turned in a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"I'll give a lot of credit to Nazareth on the defensive end. Coming into the game, they had the best offense in the Empire 8, but their defense is underrated.

"Their physicality took us out of our offense, kept us out of the paint, and likely even affected the rhythm of our perimeter shots. We needed to be more composed under that kind of pressure at the start, yet we responded well in the second half.
 
"Due to our injuries, Tyson Clark is being asked to play point as a freshman, he often guards the opponent's top perimeter player, and he's scoring at an incredibly efficient level. I cannot say enough about his willingness, maturity, and execution." - Head Coach Jeremy Bialek

UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center on Friday, when they will host the Utica Pioneers at 7:30 p.m.