By: Zachary Harnischfeger
Brockport in a pre-game huddle (Photo Credit: Zachary Harnischfeger)
BROCKPORT, NY- The Brockport Blue Devils were looking to snap a five-game losing streak as they went up against the Eastridge Lancers in the semi-final round of the Doug Westcott Basketball Tournament. After leading for the first half of the game, the Lancers 35 point second half powered them to a 69-58 victory over Brockport.
A back-and-forth first quarter led to a 17-13 Lancers lead. The Blue Devils then went on to score 21 points in the second quarter to give them a 34-31 lead to end the first half. Senior guard Daniel Dailey and junior forward Tyler Judd had ten points apiece in the second half.
Judd (#12) shooting a free throw (Photo Credit: Zachary Harnischfeger)
"I feel like we were knocking down shots," Judd said. "And we were playing good defensively and we were getting into our rhythm and were able to work inside."
Missed shots and costly turnovers plagued the Blue Devils in the second half. Eastridge senior guard Jalonie Pittman and senior forward Brennen Russo combined for 24 points in the second half as the Lancers went on to score 35 points and couldn't be stopped. Pittman had a game high of 21 points and Russo finished with 19.
Junior forward Azay Odey led the way defensively for the Blue Devils, as well as scoring 13 points on the night.
"[Odey] is a great player," Brockport senior captain Gregory Rightmyer said. "He's got great hustle and I think he's the kind of player that teams look at and have to game plan around so even if he has a bad game, he is always a factor."
Judd led the team in scoring with 16 points and Dailey was second on the team, finishing with 15 points for the day.
Dailey warming up before the game (Photo Credit: Zachary Harnischfeger)
The loss extends Brockport's losing streak to six games and drops them to 2-6 on the season after starting off with a 2-0 record.
"We just need to get that winning feeling again," Brockport head coach James Erbland said. "I think if we come out with the same effort tomorrow, we're going to get back on track and execute. I just think that overall, our effort is going to be the key to success. Just playing a full 32-minute game."
The Blue Devils will play the Churchville-Chili Saints in the consolation round of the Doug Westcott Basketball Tournament tomorrow afternoon at 3pm.