PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Five-time defending tournament champion Rochester built an 11-point halftime advantage against Nazareth Tuesday and the Yellowjackets went on to take a 56-45 women's basketball victory over the Golden Flyers in the first round of the Wendy's College Classic played at St. John Fisher.

Rochester, now 4-1 overall, plays William Smith in Thursday's semifinals at Roberts Wesleyan at 6 p.m. Nazareth, 2-3 overall, plays a consolation game Thursday against Brockport at 6 p.m. at RIT.

Junior Brittany Wilson paced Nazareth with game highs in points (20) and rebounds (10), but the Golden Flyers could not overcome a poor-shooting first half in which they made just 7 of 33 shots (21.2 percent).

Nazareth kept the score close early on as the teams were tied at 15-15 following a three-point basket by Katie Kollar with 9:45 to go in the first half. Nazareth was still within one, 19-18, after as three-pointer by Brittany Patenaude with 7:20 to go.

Nazareth then went nearly seven minutes without scoring while the Yellowjackets secured a 31-20 halftime lead. It wasn't until Patenaude hit two free throws with :33 left in the half that Nazareth scored again.

Nazareth used an 11-4 scoring run to open the second half and draw within six points, 37-31, with 15:28 left. Wilson scored nine of her points during that stretch, including a three-pointer that completed the run.

Rochester then scored seven straight points, keyed by a three-point shot by Danielle McNabb, to reclaim control. The Yellowjackets were able to maintain a double-digit advantage the rest of the way.

McNabb was Rochester's high scorer with 13 points. Jodie Luther added 11. Rochester also enjoyed a 55-40 rebounding edge, led by 10 from Madeline Korber.

For Nazareth, in addition to Wilson's 20 points, senior Mary Holland scored eight points and passed for four assists. Junior Ashley Gallagher grabbed eight rebounds.