ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Senior Jason Corletta connected on a game-winning three-point attempt as time expired to lift Nazareth to a thrilling 77-76 non-conference men's basketball victory over Hilbert Tuesday. The game marked the season opener for the Golden Flyers and the Hawks. Senior Phil Scaffidi scored a team-high 19 points while Corletta finished with 18 points.

The Golden Flyers overcame a four-point deficit in the final 12 seconds of the game. With Hilbert clinging to a 76-72 lead, junior Tyshun Stephens drew a foul and connected on both free throws to trim Nazareth's deficit to two points. On the Hawks, ensuing possession, CJ Hodge was fouled and missed his free throws. Scaffidi secured the rebound following the second miss, dribbled the length of the court and threaded a pass to a wide-open Corletta, who buried his game-winning shot from the right side of the three-point arc. Hodge also missed two free throws before Stephens converted his opportunities for the Golden Flyers. The Hawks finished the contest connecting on 21-32 (66 percent) of their free throws. Nazareth was 34-42 (81 percent) from the charity stripe.

Nazareth began the second half with a five-point lead, 39-34, and extended it to seven points moments into the period following a basket by Corletta. Sophomore Scott Hayford stretched the Golden Flyers' lead to a game-high 10 points, 49-39, with 15:53 to play in regulation.

Hilbert, however, answered with five points in a span of 16 seconds to stay in the game. With just over 10 minutes remaining in regulation, Dan McFarland gave the Hawks their first lead of the half, 53-51. Mcfarland's basket capped a 9-0 scoring run during which Hartwick's defense forced Nazareth into six missed shots. After the Golden Flyers surrendered its lead, Scaffidi tied the game with 9:26 left to play.

Throughout the next seven minutes, Hilbert and Nazareth remained within a few points of each other, culminating in four lead changes in a span of 50 seconds that left the Hawks clinging to their small lead. Cody Troutman gave Hilbert a two-possession lead, 71-67, with 2:29 to play in regulation after connecting on his shot attempt. The Hawks were able to reclaim their four-point lead three additional times in the final 1:43 before the Golden Flyers' dramatic rally in the closing seconds.

In addition to the points from Scaffidi and Corletta, Stephens tallied 15 points and junior Dan Waldbillig added 12 points. Senior Greg Lothridge and freshman Jamell Johnson also chipped in with five points and four points, respectively. The Golden Flyers finished with a 41-35 advantage in rebounds. Waldbillig and sophomore Brad Ford grabbed 10 boards apiece.

Mcfarland finished with a game-high 25 points, followed by Troutman with 10 points. Chris Parrot had a team-high six rebounds for Hilbert.

The Hawks' defense held Nazareth to 20-58 (35 percent) shooting from the floor, including 3-12 (25 percent) from beyond the three-point arc. The Golden Flyers' efficiency at the free throw line balanced Hilbert's defense. The Hawks finished 26-53 (49 percent) from the field over the course of the game. Hilbert also had an 8-1 advantage in steals.

The Hawks opened an 8-2 lead in the first 3:26 of the game, however, Lothridge gave Nazareth its first lead, 22-21, following two free throws. Stephens, Waldbillig, Johnson, Corletta, and Scaffidi each scored to turn the Golden Flyers' early deficit into a lead. Stephens connected on his shot attempt in closing moments of the first half to give Nazareth the 39-34 halftime lead.

The Golden Flyers compete in the Medaille Tournament this weekend. Nazareth plays Morrisville at 8 p.m. on Friday. The consolation and championship contests are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday. The Golden Flyers return to Nazareth November 22nd to host Rochester in a non-conference game.