Brockport, NY - The Brockport women's basketball team came up short in the Empire 8 Championship against Geneseo, 66-63, on Saturday, March 1^st. The Knights claim the 2024-25 Empire 8 Title and the automatic qualifer into the upcoming NCAA DIII Championship Tournament.
 
Kaileigh Hunt led the way with a dynamic performance, scoring 17 points with eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
 
Peyton Maneri dropped 15 points (6-9 FG) with two steals and two assists in a strong effort.
 
Mandy Brink was effective offensively, scoring 12 points in just 13 minutes of action.
 
A low-scoring first quarter saw Geneseo take a 16-13 lead into the second quarter, with both teams shooting under 40% from the floor. With 28 seconds remaining, Stephanie Jean-Baptiste would add a layup to cut the lead to three entering the second quarter.
 
The Knights offense would find life in the second period, shooting 50% from the floor to take a seven-point lead into the halftime break. Igniting the Brockport offense, Harmony Philo would drill a deep three to keep Brockport within ten.
 
The Brockport defense would post its best quarter of the contest, holding Geneseo to just 10 points to take a three-point edge into the final frame. With Geneseo up 45-40 in the third, Brockport would finish the quarter on a 9-2 run: Brink, Hunt, and Maneri connected from deep for Brockport in the period.
 
The fourth quarter proved to be a back-and-forth affair, with Harmony Philo drilling back-to-back triples to give Brockport a 58-56 lead with 5:24 remaining. Philo's three-pointers would serve as the last field goals for Brockport, with Mackenzie Reigle leading Geneseo to the 66-63 win.
 
Fourth-quarter shooting would sink the Golden Eagles, shooting just 18.75% from the floor (3-16) compared to 50% for Geneseo (7-14).
 
Geneseo's Mackenzie Reigle was named the E8 Tournament Most Valuable Player after posting 21 points, six boards, five assists, and four steals in the championship game.

Brockport will be in contention for an at-large bid to the 2025 NCAA Division III Tournament, with the selection show taking place on Monday, March 3^rd at 2:30 on NCAA.com. If qualified, the Golden Eagles will compete in the NCAA First Round on Friday, March 7^th.