CORTLAND, N.Y – For the second straight night, The College at Brockport men's basketball team comeback effort was stifled, as the Golden Eagles fell at SUNY Cortland, 77-70.
 
The Golden Eagles move to 15-5 on the year with a 10-3 mark in the SUNYAC while the Red Dragons improve to 13-6 on the season and have an 8-4 mark in league play.
 
Brockport got off to a sluggish start, and quickly found themselves trailing the Red Dragons. After a Cortland triple, the Green and Gold trailed 19-5 with 14:29 to play. Working to cut the deficit, the Golden Eagles were able to make headway, whittling the Cortland lead to single digits after a Devonn Gavin trey and a Matthew Smith layup.
 
By the 2:28 mark a Clifton Lyerly triple cut the Brockport deficit to it's smallest since the opening minutes, at 41-36. The Green and Gold squad would find the hoop just once more in the half, a Cordell Torres layup, as they headed into the break trailing 46-38.
 
At the half, Gavin led the Brockport charge with eight points, while Lyerly and Smith each netted seven. The Golden Eagles saw their counterparts shoot 48.4 from the floor in the opening half, while posting their own 40 percent from the field (14-25).
 
In the second half, the Green and Gold again saw the Cortland lead swell, this time reaching a 20 point advantage with 13:09 to play. Brockport went to work to erase their deficit, and sparked a 17-0 run to close the gap to just three, with 5:11 to play. The Golden Eagles' sweltering defense played a big role in the near seven minute Cortland drought, with the Brockport offense able to flourish off the Red Dragon mistakes.
 
Brockport saw their counterparts post back-to-back scores to push their lead back out to seven with just over two minutes remaining. Forced to foul, the Golden Eagles couldn't make up the ground they needed to overcome Cortland, despite a pair of Gavin triples, ultimately falling 77-70.
 
On the day, Gavin led the Brockport offensive efforts, with 16 points, including four triples. Lyerly and Marcus Blythers each added 12 points, while Blythers picked up 10 boards for a double-double. Smith chipped in 11 points, six rebounds and a pair of steals while Hamed Shamseldin dished out seven assists, adding five points.
 
As a team, the Green and Gold forced 13 Red Dragon turnovers, which they used for 15 points. Brockport also edged Cortland in second chance points, with a 17-4 tally, but it was an even fight in the paint, with both teams scoring 32 of their points in the lane.
 
The Golden Eagles will be back in action as they return home on Feb. 3 in their lone contest of the week to face SUNY Geneseo.
 
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