UTICA, NY – Graduate student Jonathan Park became the 29^th player in program history to score over 1,000 career points as Nazareth fell 68-66 to Utica on Tuesday night. It was the second time this season that the Golden Flyers fell at the hands of the Pioneers.
 
The Golden Flyers fall to 15-4 on the season and 9-3 in Empire 8 play with the loss, while the Utica remains perfect in conference play at 12-0 and sit at 17-2 overall.
 
Nazareth made for a thrilling finish after trailing for most of the second half. Utica held a 66-58 lead with 2:45 clock before Nazareth cut the lead to two. Jaylen Savage knocked down two of his 13 points and Park had a putback to bring the Flyers within 66-62 with 1:41 to play. Zach Stenglein then came up with a steal and was fouled, converting both free throws.
 
Following a Utica bucket and a missed Nazareth layup, the Golden Flyers forced another steal, leading to reigning Empire 8 Rookie of the Week Savage hitting a layup to make it 68-66 with :24 seconds remaining.
 
After a Nazareth foul to send the Pioneers to the line for 1-and-1, Utica came up empty leaving Nazareth a chance to tie, or win the game, on the last shot. Stenglein's 3-pointer from straight on clanked off the rim as the Golden Flyers final shot.
 
The first half featured 12 ties and no squad led by more than seven points.  Nazareth struggled from the field, going 12-for-32 (37.5 percent), including just 1-for-7 from downtown.
 
Trailing 15-8, Jack Broderick delivered the next seven points of the game to even the score at 15 apiece. Utica led 31-27 at the half.
 
Jordan Haggard led Nazareth with 14 points on 6-for-13 from the field. Park had 12 points, pushing his career total to 1,002. It was his 11^th double-double of the season.
 
The Golden Flyers will host Houghton University on Friday at 7:30 p.m.