By: Dylan O'Loughlin
New Paltz, NY --- The Brockport Golden Eagles women’s basketball team had a tall task traveling to New Paltz to play the number one team in the SUNYAC. They could not get it done, losing to the Hawks 75-52.
Stephanie Jean-Baptiste led Brockport in scoring with 16 (Photo Credits: Liv Metz/Brockport Athletics)
"A lot of uncontrollable's," Brockport captain Shannon Blankenship said. "So, playing through some of the things that aren't in our power and then trying to figure out what we need to do. Hats off to New Paltz they're a good team and have always been a good team. So, just trying to play within our offense and figure out what's best for us."
In the first quarter both teams started hot. New Paltz shot 10-for-17 from the field as forward Morgan Hammell led all scorers with 10. Brockport shot 7-for-15 and guards Stephanie Jean-Baptiste and Mandy Brink led Brockport with five. As the opening quarter came to a close, Brockport trailed 24-17. However, Brockport could not maintain their hot start.
The Golden Eagles would cut the margin as close as four, but New Paltz would respond with a run. Abby Korzekwinski led the way on the scoring run as she had six and New Paltz would extend the margin to 13, heading into the half.
Zairea Hannah finished with a double-double against New Paltz (Photo Credits: Liv Metz/Brockport Athletics)
Coming out of the half, New Paltz did not look back. Brockport would cut to lead to 10, but that’s the closest it would get. Reigning SUNYAC Player of the Year Brianna Fitzgerald would take over. After scoring just six in the first half, she would put up 10 in the second half to give her 16 on the day along with 11 rebounds and 10 assists to give Fitzgerald her first triple double of her career. Korzekwinski finished with 16 points and 4 rebounds and Hammell finished with 10 points and 3 rebounds. For Brockport, Jean-Baptiste led the way with 16 points and Zairea Hannah finished with a double-double, 10 points and 11 rebounds.
“Just a new day,” Blankenship said. “Can’t really think about what happens today, you got 24 hours to sit on it and then you got to let it go. So, Oneonta, a completely different team, completely different speed so we’re excited to go play them tomorrow and go 1-0.”
The Golden Eagles (10-11, 6-8) remain sixth in the SUNYAC standings. Brockport maintains the final playoff spot, two games ahead of Fredonia and 2.5 games ahead of Plattsburgh. Brockport sits 1.5 games back of Oneonta (9-11, 7-6) and they look to cut into the Red Dragons lead when they head into Dewar Arena tomorrow, Saturday February 3rd. Tip-off is scheduled 2 p.m. with our coverage beginning at 1:45 p.m.