Brockport, NY – After a commanding start to the 2026 calendar year, the SUNY Brockport men's basketball team is set to shift its focus toward conference play. The Golden Eagles will host Elmira College for their highly anticipated Empire 8 conference opener this Tuesday, January 6th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. as the Green and Gold look to even their overall record and maintain their unblemished 2-0 mark at the Jim and John Vlogianitis Gymnasium.
Statement Performance at The Vlog
The Golden Eagles enter Tuesday's matchup riding high after a clinical 85-64 victory over La Roche University this past Saturday. Brockport's defensive unit was the story of the afternoon, putting on a masterclass of ball pressure and lane disruption. The Golden Eagles swiped a season-high 17 steals, hounding the Redhawk backcourt from the opening tip to the final buzzer.
Brockport will look to replicate the high-octane efficiency they displayed in Saturday's victory, where the unit shot a season-best 50.8% from the floor. Brockport's ability to turn defensive pressure into offensive production will be a key factor on Tuesday; the team is coming off a performance where they forced 22 turnovers and consistently found easy looks in transition. With a balanced scoring attack that saw four players reach double digits on Saturday—and a breakout eight-point effort from freshman
Bryce Marshall—the Green and Gold offense appears to be peaking just in time for the Empire 8 schedule.
Three-Time E8 Rookie of the Week
The Golden Eagles' recent success has been bolstered by the continued emergence of Pharel Aybar, who was honored as the Empire 8 Rookie of the Week for the third time this season on Monday. The Washington Heights native has evolved into a pivotal playmaker for the Green and Gold, providing a reliable spark during the team's perfect 2-0 stretch at home.
Aybar's impact was on full display this past week as he averaged 8.5 points and 3.0 assists, highlighted by a clinical 12-point performance against La Roche where he knocked down over 60% of his attempts from the field. More than just a scorer, the freshman has proven to be a defensive anchor on the perimeter; he currently leads the roster in both assists (3.1 APG) and steals (2.0 SPG). His ability to balance efficient scoring with a team-high defensive output has solidified his place as a vital engine in the Brockport backcourt as they head into the heart of the conference schedule.
Leading the Charge: Brockport's Triple Threat
As conference play begins, the Golden Eagles are powered by a trio of versatile scorers averaging double digits.
Zachary Rice leads the offensive engine, averaging a team-high 13.4 points per game to go along with 4.7 rebounds. Rice has been a primary disruptor on the perimeter, chipping in 1.7 steals per contest.
Jacob Oka has been a dominant force in the paint, matching
Camron Dyer with 11.7 PPG. Oka leads the effort on the glass with 5.9 rebounds per game while mirroring Rice's defensive production with 1.7 steals.
Camron Dyer provides the Golden Eagles with an elite perimeter threat, shooting a scorching 52.4% from behind the arc. Averaging 11.7 PPG, Dyer also contributes 4.1 rebounds and nearly a block per game, serving as a vital two-way asset for the Green and Gold.
Scouting the Soaring Eagles
Elmira College (5-4) travels to The Vlog having found a rhythm over the last month, winning four of their last five contests. Their most recent outing resulted in an 85-66 loss to Saint Elizabeth University.
Historically, the Golden Eagles have controlled this matchup, holding a 2-0 all-time record against Elmira. Both victories came during the 2024-25 season, including a decisive 87-67 win in their most recent matchup. Brockport will look to leverage its home-court advantage and defensive pressure to move to 1-0 in conference play.
Up Next: Following the tilt with Elmira, the Golden Eagles will remain at home for another conference matchup. Brockport is scheduled to host St. John Fisher University on Friday, January 9th, at 4 p.m.
