ROCHESTER, NY – Senior Rachel Benedict scored 20 second half points and finished with 27 points while fellow senior Lizzie Straub scored 20 points including 14 in the first half to lead the Nazareth College women's basketball team to a convincing 83-55 victory over Fredonia Tuesday night on Mike Daley court in Kidera Gymnasium.

The 27 points was one shy of a career-best for Benedict who scored 28 against Stevens late in her sophomore season. Straub was only three points off her career best of 23 points in the season opener last year against Westminster. Her 14 points in the first half came on four 3-point baskets as she helped the Golden Flyers (6-1) jump out to a 10-point lead at 39-29 after two quarters of play.

In addition to the strong offensive output, junior Isabella Gjonaj tied the school record for blocked shots in a ame as she slapped away eight shots on the night. The record of eight blocks in a game was set back in 1991 by Sandy DeWolf who had eight in a victory over Ithaca on Feb. 19, 1991.

Benedict took control in the second half with 20 points in the final two quarters as Nazareth scored 22 points in each of the final three quarters to run away with the victory.

Straub missed her first 3-point shot with two minutes left in the first quarter but nailed a pair of long range jumpers to close out the period and give Nazareth a two-point lead at 17-15.

In the second quarter, Straub added to more 3-pointers and had a shot at a third late in the period but missed. She followed her shot, grabbed the offensive rebound and made a quick layup to boost the Nazareth lead to 10 points at 35-25 with 1:36 left in the first half.

Freshman Ryann Stefaniak added eight points while sophomores Jadyn Abrams had seven points and Kim Davis added six for the Golden Flyers.

Katie Pitcher and Lauren Mickley each scored 16 points to lead Fredonia (2-3).

Nazareth will host Middlebury December 17 to close out the first semester.