CANTON, N.Y. – Senior Olivia Suhr topped 20 points Saturday in The College at Brockport Women's Basketball team's return to action in a nonconference 72-60 loss on the road to St. Lawrence.
Brockport (4-3) outscored St. Lawrence in the final two quarters of the game, but was unable to overcome a 14-point halftime deficit. The Golden Eagles led in many statistical categories on the game including rebounds, free throws and steals but the Saints shot 49-percent from the field compared to Brockport's 37-percent clip.
The Green and Gold set the pace for the Saints in much of the first quarter, as Brockport took multiple single basket leads before St. Lawrence answered back with its own basket. A lollipop pass from Erin Cunningham to Suhr, gave Brockport its largest lead of the first quarter. Suhr grabbed the ball near the basket as four St. Lawrence defenders converged on her fouling her in the process of her making a three point play, pushing Brockport ahead 11-8.
The Saints answered back with a two-pointer of its own before Cunningham's successful jumper kept Brockport ahead for the last time, leading 13-10. Faith Welch assisted on the play, setting up Cunningham with the look.
Brockport trailed at the half by a score of 42-28, struggling to get much offense going outside of Suhr and Welch. Suhr was limited to 11 minutes played in the opening half because of three early fouls but led all Golden Eagles with nine points scored. Welch totaled seven points, nailing down her lone shot from beyond the arc in the second quarter. She collected an offensive rebound, dribbled the ball while taking two steps backward for a shot from the trey line.
The Golden Eagles and Saints played a back-and-forth third quarter as Brockport closed the gap by winning the third quarter 16-15 also the same point total in the fourth quarter. At one point, Brockport closed the gap to single digits when it went on a 5-0 run. Hannah Rehbaum hit two free throws to start the run before Suhr's made layoff following an offensive rebound. Suhr was fouled in the process, utilizing her superior strength and touch to successfully complete her second three-point play the hard way of the game. The Golden Eagles trailed 62-53 with 4:53 remaining but were unable to get the score any closer.
Suhr led all scorers with 22 points in the game, while Rehbaum and Welch both chipped in 11 each. Suhr and Jenna Lividini swiped two steals apiece as Rehbaum led the Golden Eagles with 11 rebounds, finishing the game with a double-double.
The Green and Gold return to Brockport for its first home game in more than a month when it will face State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) rival Buffalo State Tuesday Jan. 5, at 5:30 p.m. Be sure to stay up to date on all your Golden Eagle scores and awards by following @BportAthletics on Twitter and by liking the "Brockport Golden Eagles" Facebook page.
