Special to the OBSERVER

ROCHESTER — After winning its first two games, the Fredonia State men’s basketball team suffered its first loss of the season, falling 71-54 to Nazareth College in the championship game of the Nazareth Tournament.

Dydy Bryan led the Devils with 16 points and De’Quan Smith added 14 points and three steals. Moussa Samassa added nine points and a team-high eight rebounds.

After a layup by Samassa tied the game at 2-all, Nazareth regained the lead and would keep it the remainder of the game. By the half, they led 32-26.

Fredonia State (2-1) battled back and made it a one-point game. An 11-3 run capped by a free throw from Bryan made it 38-37 Nazareth with 14:50 left to play.

Nazareth bounced back by rattling off the 16 of the next 17 points to take a 53-39 lead and effectively put the game away.

Nazareth (3-0) had four players in double digits, led by Cody Green’s 17.