ALFRED, N.Y. -- Senior Phil Scaffidi scored 12 of his game-high 15 points in the second half Friday and went over the 1,000-point mark in career scoring as Nazareth outscored host Alfred in an Empire 8 Conference men's basketball game, 68-48.

Nazareth won for the sixth time in its last seven games and improved to 13-6 overall, including 6-2 in conference play. It was Nazareth's second win of the season over the Saxons. Alfred dropped to 11-6 overall and 4-4 in the Empire 8.

Needing just two points to reach the 1,000-point milestone, Scaffidi drilled a three-pointer less than two minutes into the game to become the 18th Nazareth player in the exclusive club.

He made 6 of 12 shots from the field and went 2 for 4 from three-point range and now has 1,013 career points. He also had four assists and two steals.

The Golden Flyers never trailed in the game, jumping out to a 17-2 lead in the first seven minutes. Junior Tyshun Stephens scored seven points during the early run and had 12 of his 14 points in the first half as the Golden Flyers settled for a 32-25 lead. Freshman Jamell Johnson also displayed a hot hand in the first half by hitting all three of his field goal attempts, including a pair of three-pointers for nine of his 12 points.

In the second half, the Saxons closed to within three points, 42-39, after scoring on three straight possessions, including three-pointers by Tim Pacheco and Sean Curran. Johnson interrupted the run by hitting a three-pointer that touched off a 17-5 scoring run that pushed Nazareth's lead back to double digits at 59-44 with 5:30 left.

Scaffidi scored seven of his points during the decisive run and senior Jason Corletta converted short jump shots on back-to-back possessions.

Nazareth was able to hold Alfred to just nine points over the last 12-plus minutes of play. In addition to Scaffidi and Stephens, Corletta and Johnson each finished with 12 points and sophomore Brad Ford had nine.

The victory leaves Nazareth in a three-way tie for first place in the conference standings as Hartwick and Stevens won road games at Utica and Ithaca respectively. Nazareth plays again Saturday at Elmira at 4 p.m.