BOXSCORE ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Fredonia State men's basketball lost to host Nazareth, 92-62, in the championship game Saturday of the BSG Tip-Off Tournament in Kidera Gymnasium.
Foul trouble plagued the Blue Devils, who fell to 1-1, including a 98-89 opening-night win Friday over Union. Nazareth was 26 of 32 from the free-throw line, compared to 10 of 17 by the Blue Devils. In addition, Fredonia State made 14 turnovers after just three Friday in their victory. Nazareth also enjoyed a 44-24 rebounding advantage.
Senior forward
Tyrone Clark (Elmira) had 20 points while sophomore guard
Robert Lyles (Peekskill) added 10 points to go along with his 32 points against Union. Both players were chosen to the BSG all-tournament team. Also for the Blue Devils, sophomore guard
Alexander Grace (Bemus Point) had eight points and five assists.
Tournament MVP Brad Ford scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Naz. He scored 20 of his points in the first half as the Golden Flyers were building their lead. They led 39-32 at halftime and outscored the Blue Devils 53-30 over the final 20 minutes. Four others also scored in double figures for the Golden Flyers, including all-tournament team selections Jack Giles and Mitch Ford. Giles had 17 points and four assists and hit three three-point baskets. Mitch Ford had 12 poiints and a game-high 11 rebounds.
Sophomore Maurice Mills added 16 points and senior Scott Hayford had 11.
Nazareth began to pull away late in the first half. The score was tied at 17-17 before a basket by Mills triggered a 7-0 scoring run that put Nazareth ahead to stay. Brad Ford hit a three-pointer and Mitch Ford sank a pair of free throws to complete the mini-surge. Nazareth's lead grew to 10 points, 39-29, with less than a minute to play in the half, but Fredonia State's sophomore forward
John Kovach (Shoreham) hit a free throw and sophomore guard
Eric Zwierlein (Nichols) added a basket in the closing seconds to trim the lead to 39-32 at the break.
Nazareth re-opened their double-digit lead early in the second half by hitting 18 of 26 second-half field goal attempts and 14 of 18 free throws. Giles scored 15 of his points in the final 20 minutes, including all three of his three-point baskets.
