ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Host Nazareth used a balanced offensive attack Friday to win its Empire 8 Conference men's basketball opener. The Golden Flyers built an early lead against Elmira and led almost from start to finish in a 66-54 victory over the Soaring Eagles. Four players scored in double figures for the Golden Flyers, including senior Jack Giles, who combined 16 points with eight assists and four rebounds in 40 minutes of action.

Senior Brad Ford and sophomore Maurice Mills  also scored 16 points each and sophomore Mitch Ford scored 11 points. Brad Ford had a team-high seven rebounds.

Nazareth improved to 6-3 overall, while Elmira dropped to 3-5. The Golden Flyers play again Saturday at Houghton at 2 p.m. Elmira hosts St. John Fisher.

Nazareth raced to a 14-4 lead in the first 4:07 of the game as Mitch Ford scored six of his points and the Golden Flyers expanded that lead to 17 points, 30-13, as Elmira went more than seven minutes between baskets. Nazareth settled for a 36-25 lead at halftime as Giles had nine points and five assists and Mills scored nine points with three rebounds. Junior John Mullane came off the bench to score nine points for Elmira.

Nazareth maintained its double-digit advantage for much of the second half, but Elmira closed to within six, 49-43, following a basket by Jake Metcalf with 12:55 to go. A basket and a free throw by Giles interrupted the Elmira scoring run. Following an Elmira free throw, two baskets by Brad Ford enabled the Golden Flyers' lead to return to double digits with less than eight minutes to play.

Nazareth made 25 of 49 field goals (51 percent) and 14 of 24 free throws (58.3 percent). Nazareth played well defensively by limiting Elmira to 36.7 percent shooting (22 for 60) with just two three-point baskets. Neil Randolph scored 13 to led the Soaring Eagles. He came into the game as the E8 scoring leader at 22.1 points per game.