BROCKPORT, NY – Despite a late-game surge and a dominant third quarter, the No. 2 seeded SUNY Brockport women's basketball team saw their postseason journey come to an end on Saturday afternoon, falling 77-71 to No. 7 Elmira in the quarterfinals of the Empire 8 Championship.
Contest Recap
The contest was a game of significant runs, featuring eight ties and six lead changes. Brockport worked to find its rhythm early, but a challenging second quarter where the team shot 12.5% (2-16) from the floor allowed Elmira to build a 41-31 lead heading into the locker room.
Coming out of the break, the Golden Eagles looked like a completely different team. Brockport exploded in the third quarter, outscoring the Soaring Eagles 32-15. The Green and Gold found their touch, shooting a blistering 63.16% (12-19) in the period. The momentum shift was led by a collective effort that turned a 10-point halftime deficit into a lead as large as nine points, following a pair of free throws from
Mandy Brink with just nine seconds left in the quarter. The Green and Gold entered the final frame ahead 63-56.
However, the fourth quarter proved difficult for the Brockport offense. The Golden Eagles were held to 6.67% (1-15) shooting in the final ten minutes. Elmira utilized a late 21-8 run and timely three-point shooting—finishing the day at 64.7% (11-17) from deep—to reclaim the lead and secure the advancement. Brockport fought until the final whistle, turning defensive pressure into 20 points off turnovers, but the late comeback attempt fell just short.
Inside the Box Score
Brockport saw three players reach double figures in the postseason battle.
Mandy Brink led the offensive charge for the Golden Eagles, finishing with a team-high 18 points. Brink was aggressive in the paint, going 7-of-12 from the free-throw line, while adding 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
Brianna Carey provided a major spark from the perimeter, netting 17 points. Carey was efficient from long range, connecting on 4-of-8 triples, and contributed 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
Stephanie Jean-Baptiste was a force on both ends of the floor, tallying 15 points. She rounded out her stat sheet with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in 37 minutes of action.
Claire Turner anchored the interior defense, recording a game-high 4 steals and 3 blocks. Turner also led the team on the glass with 7 rebounds while chipping in 5 points and 4 assists.
Addy VanDewater came off the bench to provide 7 points, including a timely three-pointer during the third-quarter run.
Brockport's defensive pressure remained a hallmark of their play, forcing 19 Elmira turnovers. The Golden Eagles controlled the offensive glass, leading to 10 second-chance points, and outpaced Elmira in the paint for much of the second half.
The loss concludes a strong season for the Golden Eagles, who finished the year with an 18-8 overall record and a standout 14-2 mark in Empire 8 play.
