UTICA, NY – Graduate student Jadyn Abrams moved into third all-time in scoring for the Empire 8 (1,637 points) on Tuesday night, pouring in 22 points to help Nazareth defeat Utica 91-69. It was the Golden Flyers highest scoring output of the season as they went 35-for-77 (45.5 percent) from the field, including draining 11 3-pointers. Brielle Reidinger notched a career-high in points with 24 on 10-for-14 from the floor and assists (7), while also pulling down 10 boards.
 
The win moves Nazareth to 14-5 overall and 10-2 in league play. Utica drops to 8-11 overall and 3-9 in the Empire 8.
 
Abrams passed fellow Nazareth alums, Rachel Benedict '20 (1,624 points) and Lindsey Kelly '16 (1,625 points), along with Elmira's Jessica Zoltowski '14 (1,631 points) on the scoring list. Stephanie Cleary '05 of Ithaca is second all-time with 1,866 points and Jessica Berry '11 of Utica is first with 2,111.
 
Nazareth doubled up the Pioneers in the opening quarter, 24-12. They did so by cleaning up the glass with six offensive rebounds, and sharp shooting to help build a double-digit advantage.
 
Nazareth started the game 7-for-11 from distance and cooled off to end the half 8-for-16.
 
Katie MacLachlan drilled one of her three 3-pointers of the half before an Abrams triple to made it 30-15. MacLachlan scored in double figures for the seventh time in eight games with 15 points.
 
Nazareth led 45-31 at the half.
 
Midway through the third quarter the Pioneers were able to cut the lead to six points, but Nazareth closed on a 15-6 run to mount a 67-52 lead heading into the final quarter.
 
In the fourth, Nazareth scored the first seven points, including five from Abrams. She hit a 3-pointer and then added a layup which pushed her into third on the all-time scoring list. Nazareth stayed in control the rest of the way.
 
Chelsea Woodsum added nine points in the win.
 
The Golden Flyers will host Houghton University on Friday at 5:30 p.m.