ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Stephen Gabel led all scorers with 27 points, including 20 in the second half Thursday, as Nazareth handed visiting Rochester its first men's basketball defeat of the season, 81-73, on the first night of the Mark's Pizzeria Crosstown Shootout, hosted by Nazareth. St. John Fisher defeated RIT, 65-51, in the first game.

Both teams are 3-1 following Thursday's game. The tournament concludes Saturday at Nazareth with Rochester taking on St. John Fisher at 6 p.m. in the first game and Nazareth hosting RIT at 8 p.m.

Gabel went 8-for-13 from the field with two three-pointers and went 9-for-9 from the free-throw line to produce his season high. Zach Stenglein had 21 points, including a 12-for-14 contribution at the foul line, and and Logan Blankenberg added 12 points. The victory was Nazareth's first over the Yellowjackets since 2013. UR had won the previous seven meetings.

UR led for much of the first half, but Nazareth chipped away and was able to draw even, 39-39, by halftime as Gabel scored just before the horn sounded.

The Golden Flyers caught fire to start the second half by outscoring Rochester 18-5 over the first four minutes to go up 57-44. Blankenberg, Isaac Nelson and Gabel each sank three-point shots to fuel the scoring surge.

UR crept back in it and took a short-lived lead, 64-63, with less than five minutes to play. Nazareth regained the lead for good on baskets by Jonathan Park and Gabel. Then Nazareth spent most of the last two minutes knocking down free throws. Gabel completed a three-point play with 2:04 left to make the score 70-66. He sank six more foul shots after that and Stenglein hit five more to keep the Golden Flyers in front.

Nazareth went 26-for-29 (89.7%) overall. The Golden Flyers also were even on the boards with the taller Yellowjackets with 32 rebounds each. Stenglein led all rebounders with nine and also passed four four assists. Gabel added six rebounds and Blankenberg five.