ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Senior Tyler Putney led the Golden Flyers to a victory over the SUNY Potsdam Bears in the first game of the season with a double-double in the 82-73 win. Putney had a career-high 23 points and 11 rebounds in the game for Nazareth.
 
Nazareth opens its season with a 1-0 record.
 
Three players for Nazareth were in the double figures including Luke Insley who had 18 points and six assists, Jaylen Savage with 17 points and three rebounds, and Putney with his double-double. Putney was 7-16 in field goals, including 6-12 from the arc, while Insley was 8-11 in field goals. Savage was 4-14 in field goals, and 1-4 from the arc, while also adding eight free points
 
Nazareth came out strong in the first half, earning a 21-11 lead in under 10 minutes of game play. These 21 points were put together by Putney, Zachary McFarland, Ryan Broderick, Merritt Holly and Solomon McFarlane.
 
After the early lead, Insley, Putney, Savage, McFarland, and Marcus Shepard were all able to buy some more buckets for the Golden Flyers, earning a 44-32 lead at the half.
 
Under eight minutes into the second half, the Bears were able to close the gap to one point, and one minute later Potsdam had the lead. The two teams then traded baskets one by one, each team racking up four buckets. Nazareth was able to regain the lead with three uninterrupted scoring plays including a jumper from Putney, a layup from Insley, and two made free-throws by Savage.
 
Up 63-62, with five minutes of game play left, the teams began trading buckets again. With one minute left, Nazareth found itself up 76-73. A good lay from Liam Hopwood put the Golden Flyers up by five with 45 seconds left. Savage added to the lead with four more free-throws as the Bears tried to slow down the clock with fouls.
 
Nazareth closed out the game with a victory and a score of 82-73.
 
The Golden Flyers will play again on Saturday, November 9^th at 3 p.m. in the Championship round of the Mike Daley Memorial Tournament.