BROCKPORT, NY – Behind a scorching second-half offensive clinic and a stifling defensive performance, the SUNY Brockport men's basketball team secured a 74-57 victory over St. John Fisher on Wednesday night. After a gritty, defensive-minded first half that saw the Golden Eagles hold a narrow lead, 25-24, Brockport found its rhythm in the final 20 minutes to punch its ticket to the Empire 8 Tournament Championship.
No. 5 Brockport is slated to host No. 7 Keuka on Saturday at 2pm for the Empire 8 Finals.
How It Happened
The opening frame was a hard-fought battle of attrition, as both squads prioritized defensive positioning over high-volume scoring. Brockport faced some early shooting woes, converting just 24.14% (7-29) from the floor in the first half.
Pharell Aybar provided a crucial spark during this stretch, accounting for five points in the opening five minutes and finishing the half with nine points to keep the Golden Eagles out front.
Everything changed after the intermission. While Fisher briefly contested the lead early in the period, the Golden Eagles ignited to reclaim control for good. Brockport orchestrated a devastating 22-9 run over an eight-minute stretch—climbing from a 27-28 deficit at the 18:00 mark to a commanding 49-37 advantage with 9:35 remaining. The Golden Eagles eventually extended the margin to as much as 19 points (70-51) late in the half. Despite a desperate late-game surge by the Cardinals with back-to-back triples in the final minute, the Golden Eagles slammed the door shut.
Camron Dyer put the exclamation point on the victory, slamming it down with authority in the final seconds to seal the 17-point win.
The contrast between periods was significant, as Brockport's halftime adjustments paid immediate dividends. The Golden Eagles shot an elite 61.29% from the field and 50.% from beyond the arc in the second half. On the other end of the floor, the Brockport defense remained disciplined, holding Fisher to just one player in double-digit scoring for the entire contest.
The contrast between periods was staggering. Brockport shot an elite 61.29% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc in the second half. Conversely, the Brockport defense was a nightmare for the Cardinals, holding Fisher to just one player in double-digit scoring for the entire contest.
Leading Contributors
It was a balanced attack for the Green and Gold, with five players finishing in double figures:
- Jack Clancy provided a massive spark off the bench, tying for a team-high 13 points. He was lethal from the perimeter, shooting 5-7 from the floor and 3-5 from deep, with all three of his triples erupting The Vlog in the second half to shift the momentum permanently.
- Camron Dyer also netted 13 points and dominated the stat sheet with six rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor was evident throughout his 27 minutes of action.
- Jacob Oka was a force in all facets, nearing a double-double with 12 points and a team-high nine rebounds. He also showcased his defensive tenacity with a team-high four steals while facilitating the offense with five assists.
- Pharell Aybar was instrumental in Brockport's success, finishing with 12 points and a perfect 3-for-3 mark from the charity stripe. Beyond his scoring, his defensive presence was felt throughout the night as he recorded three steals and anchored the perimeter defense.
- Ajani Flemming remained clinical from deep, shooting 50% (2-4) from behind the arc to finish with 10 points. He played 29 minutes of disciplined basketball, helping to stretch the Fisher defense.
- Omar White was relentless on the glass, matching Oka with nine rebounds while adding five points and a triple. Meanwhile, Cameron Pownall patrolled the paint with a game-high three blocks and eight points on 4-6 shooting, serving as a significant deterrent at the rim.
Up Next: Following No. 7 Keuka taking down No. 3 Geneseo, the Golden Eagles earn the right to host the Empire 8 Conference Men's Basketball Championship. They will host No. 7 Keuka on Saturday, February 28th at 2 p.m.
