Box | ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Senior Jack Giles scored a game-high 24 points and the Ford brothers -- senior Brad and sophomore Mitch -- combined to score 37 more for visiting Nazareth Saturday as the Golden Flyers defeated Elmira, 75-49, in an Empire 8 Conference men's basketball game at the Speidel Gymnasium.

The Golden Flyers shot a blistering 54.4 percent from the field (31 for 57) to improve to 16-7 overall and 8-4 in conference games. With two games left, Nazareth is in a three-way tie for second place in the conference standings with Alfred and Hartwick. Stevens stands alone in first place with a 9-3 record.

St. John Fisher, at 9-5 in conference play after defeating Alfred Saturday, has completed its regular-season schedule and needs one of the second-place threesome to falter to have a chance at a playoff spot. The top four teams make the E8 Tournament, scheduled for Feb. 28 and March 1. Elmira is 5-7 in conference play and 10-13 overall. Nazareth hosts Alfred Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the final regular-season home game. The Golden Flyers close out their regular-season schedule Friday at Utica.

Against the Soaring Eagles, the Golden Flyers recovered nicely from Friday's disappointing two-point setback at Fisher by dominating the Soaring Eagles from the outset. Giles made 11 of 16 shots from the field for his 24 points. Brad Ford's 20 points, included a perfect 7-for-7 showing from the free-throw line. Mitch Ford scored 14 of his 17 points in the first half as Nazareth was building a commanding 41-30 lead. Brad Ford and sophomore Maurice Mills each collected 12 rebounds.

Nazareth took control early after Elmira scored the first basket of the game. Nazareth then scored the next eight points -- a dunk by Mills, two baskets by Mitch Ford and one by Giles -- and never trailed again. The lead grew as large as 14 points, 41-27, following a three-point basket by Cody Sarkis with :56 left in the half. Elmira's Josh Keys was fouled in the act of shooting a three-pointer on the next possession and he sank all three subsequent free throws to trim the score to 41-30 at the break.

Nazareth continued its torrid shooting in the second half by making 13 of 23 shots (56.5 percent) and the lead never left double digits. Brad Ford scored 13 of his points over the final 20 minutes. With 1,437 career points, Ford moved into sixth place on Nazareth's all-time list. He also surpassed the 900 mark in career rebounding and currently ranks second all-time with 907. Only Chris Pegan (1994-98), with 946, has more.

The Golden Flyers will recognize Ford and their three other seniors -- Giles, Sarkis and Scott Hayford -- prior to Tuesday's game against Alfred.