Albany, NY—The Sage Colleges' men's basketball team hosted the Golden Flyers of Nazareth College on Tuesday evening in the Gators' first Empire 8 game of the season. A new member of the Empire 8, Sage dropped the game to the Golden Flyers, 88-74. With the win, Nazareth improves to 6-3 overall and 1-0 in the league, while Sage falls to 4-5 overall and 0-1 in the conference.

Nazareth triumphed behind a game-best 25 points by junior forward Chris Jones (Fulton, NY/G. Ray Bodley) as he posted a red-hot showing, making 11-of-13 shots from the floor.

Nazareth took a 46-40 lead into the locker room after shooting 55.9% from the floor after four lead changes and six ties. Senior Tyler Stenglein (Rochester, NY/Irondequoit) added 13 first half points and shot an impressive 5-of-7 from the floor. Jones added 15 points with seven rebounds as well in the first half as the two teams were knotted on the boards in the first half with 20 per side. Nazareth was paced by 28 points in the paint to the Gators' 12 points in the paint, but Sage benefit from 17 points off the bench. Stenglein finished with 21 points with four assists, two boards and a block.

For the Gators, senior forward Barceem Dukes (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) had a team-best 18 points with six rebounds, while sophomore Isaiah Scurry (Albany, NY/Albany) had 14 points after adding 10 in the second half. Senior guard Wayne Weir (Bronx, NY/Samuel Gompers) added six points off the bench in the first half with a pair of three-pointers and finished with eight points in the contest.  Senior Jordan Devaughn (Jacksonville, FL/Flora McDonald Academy) finished with 10 points and handed out six assists for Sage.

Nazareth's junior forward Jake Burgio (Spencerport, NY/Brockport) added a double-double with 13 points and a game-best 11 rebounds. Rookie guard Stephen Gabel (Victor, NY/Fairport) added a double-double on 13 points with 11 rebounds, while adding five assists.

Joining Scurry in double-digits was senior forward Barceem Dukes (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) with a season-best 21 points and nine rebounds, while senior Jordan Devaughn (Jacksonville, FL/Flora McDonald Academy) finished with 12 points. 

Sage will return to action on January 4 hosting Worcester State University in a 7 p.m. non-conference game at Kahl Gym. Nazareth College is back in action on January 5 travelling to Utica College for a 6 p.m. Empire 8 contest.