PITTSFORD, N.Y. – With a variety of players taking charge in the second half, Rochester sliced a 16-point deficit down to three points before Nazareth College was able to extend its lead and post a 94-84 victory in men's college basketball on Saturday evening.

Nate Vernon, Tyler Sankes, and Kevin Sheehy all played key roles as the Yellowjackets fought back. Sankes finished with a career high 25 points, hitting nine of 14 from the floor, seven of eight from the line. Sheehy found a career high as well, scoring 21 points including 10 of 11 at the stripe. Vernon, who was held to two points at halftime, finished with 17, including eight of eight at the line.

Rochester (1-3) made 29 of 31 from the stripe, 19 of 21 in the second 20 minutes. The Yellowjackets found a second half shooting touch, sinking 14 of 25 from the floor (56%) after 39% in the first half (11 of 28).

Nazareth (3-0) was even sharper from the floor in the second half. The Golden Flyers made 18 of 28 (64%) and were 15 of 21 at the line (71%). Jack Giles scored 27 points, Maurice Mills had 23, and Brad Ford scored 20.

A runner in the lane by Giles put Nazareth ahead by 16, 61-45, with less than 13 minutes to play. Sankes scored the next eight Rochester points – a hook, a reverse, and four free throws. Giles had a layup in the run for Nazareth and Rochester was within 10

It stayed that way – thrust and parry – for quite some time. Mils drove for a bucket and added a free throw, pushing Naz in front, 83-73, with 2:59 left. His conventional three-point play came shortly after Kyle Reardon buried a long three from the right arc to pull Rochester within seven.

Vernon scored in the lane. Then Sheehy stole the ball, twisted in for a layup, drew a foul, and knocked down the free throw (83-78). After Mills missed a pair at the line, Sankes hit both ends of a two-shot foul to make it 83-80.

That was as close as the Yellowjackets could come. Giles made a conventional three-point play. Then Mills stole the ball and roared in for a dunk. The lead was back to eight with the clock under a minute.