ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Junior Tyshun Stephens scored 18 points and passed for seven assists and senior Greg Lothridge combined 15 points with eight rebounds and five blocks Wednesday as Nazareth defeated visiting RIT in the opening round of the Wendy's College Classic in men's basketball, 72-66.

The win enabled the Golden Flyers to advance to Friday's semifinals against the University of Rochester at 8 p.m. at RIT. The Yellowjackets defeated Geneseo, 72-60, in another first-round matchup Wednesday. Friday's game will be a rematch of a Nov. 22 meeting in which Nazareth defeated Rochester 82-64.

Against RIT, Nazareth led most of the way, but the Tigers kept it close and were within two points, 68-66, following a basket by Kurt Fenderbosch with :31 left. Stephens then hit three free throws and senior Jason Corletta added another in the closing seconds to seal the win for the Golden Flyers.

Nazareth led by as many as 12 points in the first half before settling for a 10-point lead, 37-27, at the break. Nazareth's lead was still at 10, 62-52, after a basket by Stephens with 4:59 to play. RIT stayed close as Fenderbosch scored 10 of his team-high 18 points in the second half.

Stephens' 18 points came on 7 for 11 shooting. Lothridge went 6 for 6 from the field and 3 for 3 from the foul line in delivering his season-best 15 points. Corletta also reached double figures with 12 points. In addition to Fenderbosch, Brendan Harder had 13 points for the Tigers and Justin Heissig and Jameel Balenton each scored 11.