BROCKPORT, NY – The SUNY Brockport men's basketball team (5-7, 1-2) faced a tough test at The Vlog on Saturday afternoon, dropping a 79-62 decision to Nazareth University (9-4, 4-0). Despite a strong showing at the free-throw line and elite ball security, the Golden Eagles were unable to overcome a difficult shooting night in their third conference matchup of the week.
The Golden Eagles found themselves chasing the lead from the opening tip as Nazareth ignited a 10-5 run within the first four minutes of play. Brockport struggled to find the bottom of the net early, converting just one three-pointer as a team throughout the first half. While the Green and Gold utilized their defensive pressure to keep the game within reach, the Golden Eagles were unable to secure a lead at any point during the contest.
Brockport showed flashes of a comeback coming out of the intermission, matching the Golden Flyers' 37 second-half points. The Golden Eagles' persistence at the "charity stripe" kept them in the hunt, as they didn't miss a single free throw in the second half (9-9).
Shooting efficiency told the story of the afternoon; the Golden Eagles shot 29% from the field compared to Nazareth's 48.1% mark. Brockport found success by protecting the rock, committing only eight turnovers while forcing 14 from the Golden Flyers. The Golden Eagles also significantly improved their performance at the line, shooting 77.3% (17-22) just one night after shooting 57.1% from the line against St. John Fisher. Defensively, Brockport outpaced Nazareth in steals (7-2), but struggled to contain the Golden Flyers' transition offense late in the game.
Top Performers
Jacob Oka was a force on the interior, finishing with a team-high 22 points and four rebounds. He showcased elite aggressiveness by drawing contact all afternoon, finishing 11-13 from the free-throw line while adding two steals to his defensive stat line.
Pharell Aybar continued his strong weekend, tallying 10 points and six rebounds. He displayed his versatility on both ends of the floor, recording two assists and two blocks in 26 minutes of action.
Camron Dyer provided a spark with 11 points and two rebounds, while
Jack Clancy followed up yesterday's near double-double with five points, three rebounds, and two steals.
Up Next: After a five-game home stretch, the Golden Eagles will hit the road to take on Keuka College. Tip-off is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13th, at 5:00 p.m.
