ROCHESTER, N.Y. –  Nazareth used a balanced offense to defeat visiting Russell Sage College 99-80 tonight in Empire 8 Conference action.

A half dozen Golden Flyers (12-2/6-1 E8) netted twin figures in the E8 victory. Senior guard Logan Blankenburg led the way with 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Forward Jonathan Park, a graduate student, registered a double-double of 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting and 13 rebounds.

The Gators (3-12/1-7 E8), which recorded their second-highest scoring output of the season, had three players in twin figures.

Guard Ryan Long (Averill Park, NY/Averill Park), a graduate student, topped the trio with 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting. The co-captain made 50.0 percent of his three-point attempts, part of a 47.5 percent shooting night for RSC.

Sophomore guard Noah Girard (Glens Falls, NY/Glens Falls) added 12 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while sophomore forward Todd Williamson (Schenectady, NY/Notre Dame Bishop Gibbons)contributed 10 points on 50.0 percent shooting and seven rebounds.

Up 39-29 at the break, Nazareth opened the second half on a 12-4 run to improve to 6-1 at home.

RSC returns to the court tomorrow afternoon at St. John Fisher. The E8 contest is set to begin at 4:00 pm.

Notes: The Gators, coming off an E8 Conference Championship Tournament appearance, graduated all five starters from last season…Nine players, accounting for just 21.22 percent of scoring and 16.82 percent of rebounding, are back…They joined nine newcomers to make up this year's roster…Sophomore guard Noah Girard (Glens Falls, NY/Glens Falls) and guard Ryan Long (Averill Park, NY/Averill Park), a graduate student, were voted co-captains...Head Coach Brian Barnes, now in his 14th season, began the campaign with a 167-153 overall record. 

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