Nazareth shoots down Hunter, 97-69

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Senior Cody Green led a five-player contingent of double-digit scorers Friday with a game-high 21 points as host Nazareth defeated Hunter, 97-69, in a first-round matchup of the Mike Daley Tip-Off Tournament for men's basketball.

The event was highlighted by a pre-game ceremony in which the basketball court was named in honor of former coach Mike Daley, who guided the Golden Flyers for 23 seasons (1986-2009). Several members of the Daley family were present for the unveiling of the new court logo, including his wife Debbie, daughter Lea and sons Sean and Brian.

The basketball victory boosted Nazareth's record to 2-0 and puts the Golden Flyers into Saturday's tournament championship game at 3 p.m. against Fredonia, a 64-56 winner over Vassar in Friday's first game. Hunter dropped to 0-2 and will play Vassar in Saturday's consolation game at 1 p.m.

Green's 21 points included five three-point baskets in nine attempts. He also had one assist and one steal in 20 minutes of action. Nazareth made 14 three-point baskets in total in 29 attempts for a solid percentage of .483. Junior Kevin Underwood came off the bench to score 12 points and junior Stephen Gabel added 11 points and six rebounds. Sophomore Zach Stenglein and freshman Kobe Bogart each scored 10 points.

Isaac Nelson contributed nine points with a pair of three-pointers and Jonathan Park combined seven points with a game-high eight rebounds.

Nazareth's first three baskets of the game came from three-point range with Gabel hitting one and Green sinking a pair and the Golden Flyers never trailed. Hunter drew within one point at 12-11 with more than 13 minutes to go, but the Golden Flyers gradually pulled away and were up by 15 points, 48-33, at the break. Bogart scored all 10 of his points in the first half, highlighted by a pair of three-pointers. Nazareth made seven three-pointers overall with five different players delivering -- Gabel, Green, Bogart, Nelson and freshman Logan Blankenberg.

Nazareth's lead continued to grow in the second half as 13 different players ultimately cracked the scoring column. Nazareth shot 54.8 percent from the floor overall (34-for-62) and had a 37-30 rebounding advantage. Danny Fusco and George Keener were high scorers for Hunter with 15 points each.