Brockport, NY – The SUNY Brockport men's basketball team kicked off the season with a high-scoring victory, defeating the Ithaca Bombers, 96-87, on the road at Ben Light Gymnasium on November 8th. Brockport starts the season 1-0 and will face Oswego on the road next week.
Senior Zachary Rice started off his senior campaign leading Brockport's group of five double-digit scorers with a game-high 21 points. Rice did most of his damage from long range (3-7 3pt) and was perfect from the line (2-2 FT). The senior also pulled down seven rebounds, to go along with three assists.
Jacob Oka followed suit with a dominant presence in the paint. Oka recorded an impressive double-double with 15 points, pulling down a team-high 12 rebounds, including four offensive rebounds to earn extra possessions for the team.
Freshman guard Pharell Aybar turned in an eye-popping collegiate debut, starting the game and scoring 19 points. He was perfect from both the three-point line (1-1) and the free-throw line (8-8). His defensive intensity was also on full display as he racked up an astonishing seven steals.
Rounding out the five double-digit scorers were transfers Camron Dyer and Marco Evans, who made an immediate impact in their first game in green and gold. Dyer chipped in 13 points on 4-7 shooting, adding a three-pointer (1-1), and totaling four steals. Evans contributed 12 points on an efficient 6-9 shooting from the field and added a crucial block off the bench. Freshman Ajani Flemming also scored his first collegiate points in the contest, chipping in 2 points and 2 rebounds in 6 minutes of play. The Golden Eagles' bench was a major factor, outscoring Ithaca's reserves 22-21, with guard Emilio Nabli providing a lift off the bench with 5 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals in 15 minutes of action.
The Golden Eagles immediately asserted dominance, racing out to the biggest lead of the game, a 14-point advantage, within the first six minutes of play. The Bombers chipped their way back into the game, but Brockport held a 41-37 lead at the end of the first half.
The nail-biting contest featured seven total lead changes, with six of those coming in the crucial second half. The Golden Eagles' offense was ultimately explosive, scoring 55 points in the second half to pull away and secure the season-opening win.
Brockport's relentless pressure proved to be the difference-maker, as the team racked up 18 total steals and converted 31 points off of Ithaca's 31 turnovers. They dominated the paint, scoring 56 points in the paint, compared to Ithaca's 28. The Golden Eagles shot an efficient 52.5% from the field for the game.
Up Next: The Golden Eagles will take on the Oswego Lakers next week on Tuesday, November 18th, at 7 p.m. in Oswego.
