BROCKPORT, NY - The Brockport Women's Basketball team (12-6, 8-1 E8) celebrated Play4Kay with a 71-66 win over Russell Sage (12-7, 7-3 E8) on Friday, January 30th. The victory marked the Golden Eagles sixth consecutive victory, all coming in Empire 8 play.

Mandy Brink led the scoring charge for Brockport, dropping a team-high 16 points with eight rebounds, adding a steal and a block in a dynamic performance. 

Peyton Maneri provided a efficient outing for the Green and Gold, scoring 15 points on 70% shooting from the floor (7-10), while adding three assists and two rebounds.

Brianna Carey rounded out the double digit scorers for the Golden Eagles, finishing with 11 points on perfect shooting at the free throw line (3-3), and chipping in on the glass with three rebounds.

The opening quarter proved to be a back and fourth affair, with neither team being able to cement a lead. Despite trailing by one late in the first quarter, Brianna Carey's layup with 40 seconds left would give Brockport a 18-17 lead entering the second quarter. Bench scoring would guide Brockport in the first 10 minutes, with Lila Lovgren (3PT), Ava Howie, and Casey Mahony all scoring in the quarter.

Russell Sage would gain the upper hand in the second quarter, holding Brockport to 20% shooting from beyond the arc (1-5). Layla Acosta of the Gators would command the quarter, scoring 14 of her game-high 35 points in the second. Trailing by as many nine points in the frame, five straight Mandy Brink points would cut the Russell Sage lead to two entering halftime.

The Golden Eagles regained control to begin the second half, beginning the quarter on a 15-2 run to take a 49-36 lead at the 3:26 mark of the third quarter. Brockport's defense would hold Russell Sage to 16.6% shooting (3-18) and just eight points in the third.

Both offenses provided their best quarter in the fourth, seeing Brockport score 22 points to Russell Sage's 24. The Gator's would cut the Golden Eagles lead to three with 1:44 left, but a clutch Claire Turner jumper brought Brockport back ahead by five (69-64). Despite a relentless Gator comeback, clutch free throws from Mandy Brink would seal a five point win for the Green and Gold. 

Claire Turner added a gutsy performance, commanding the pain with a team-high nine rebounds and game-high three blocks, adding six points.

Up Next: Brockport will welcome Hartwick for the Morgan's Message Game on Saturday at 2 PM.