PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Stellar play from the backcourt of The College at Brockport Women's Basketball team led the Golden Eagles to their third consecutive State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) victory. Brockport defeated Plattsburgh 82-73 Saturday afternoon, utilizing a strong second half and clutch free throws at the end of regulation to gain the team's sixth conference win.
Brockport (10-6 Overall, 6-3 SUNYAC) was led by Faith Welch and Hannah Spencer in the closing game of a perfect 3-0 week. The two guards combined to score 49 points and they showed true grit in the closing minutes of the game to preserve the much needed conference victory.
The Golden Eagles outscored the Cardinals in every quarter despite the first, thanks in large part to Welch and Spencer playing nearly every minute of the game.
Brockport held a one point lead heading into the final frame but a foul on Spencer's shot sent her to the free throw line less than thirty seconds into the action. Spencer drained both shots putting Brockport ahead 52-49. Spencer made a series of shots to help momentarily extend the Golden Eagles to only have the Cardinals answer back, keeping the Brockport lead to a steady three points for several minutes of play.
Plattsburgh refused to give up on the game and fought to a 66-64 deficit with 3:45 left on the clock. But this is when the Golden Eagles backcourt and defense truly shined. Spencer converted seven-of-eight free throws down the stretch and Welch scored five points as well. Freshmen Megan Anagnostopulos and Becky Rossier scored Brockport's four other points.
With 1:22 left to play Rossier drew an offensive foul on Plattsburgh to help Brockport preserve its five point 69-64 lead. Welch followed the play with a stutter step back three pointer to extend its lead to eight points. Spencer nailed every free throw down the stretch as Anagnostopulos made three-of-four.
Rossier was a strong presence down low for Brockport in the waning minutes of play. Brockport's leading rebounder Olivia Suhr was in foul trouble most of the game and fouled out before the game had concluded but Rossier picked up the rebounding slack securing 11 boards in 13 minutes of play.
The game pitted the top two SUNYAC scorers against each other in Plattsburgh's Devona Paul (21.1 PPG) and Brockport's Suhr (17.7 PPG) and Plattsburgh made it apparent quickly that they would not let Suhr be the deciding factor of the game as they routinely double teamed the Rochester, N.Y. native.
Early in the first quarter defenders swarmed around Suhr whenever she was passed the ball but she casually found the open Golden Eagle to take advantage. Brockport took the lead on a three pointer from Faith Welch as Suhr dished her the ball from the low post. Plattsburgh answered back with two made free throws before Suhr assisted again on a play, this time a jumper on the wing from Hannah Spencer. Suhr assisted on a three pointer from Spencer which gave the Golden Eagles its last lead of the quarter, 16-12. The Golden Eagles trailed 22-18 going into the second quarter.
Suhr tightened the score with two converted free throws less than a minute into the second. However the two team's had difficulty scoring the rest of the way as Brockport outscored Plattsburgh by four points in the second to tie things at halftime, 30-all. Rehbaum, Suhr and Welch all made multiple shots to help Brockport even things up at the break.
Brockport nearly played to a draw in the third quarter to keep things even but two clutch free throws from Welch in the final seconds of the third proved to be the difference as Brockport led 50-49.
Spencer led all scorers with 26 points, including 12-of-14 from the charity stripe. Welch added 23 points shooting an incredible four-of-five from downtown while also leading the team with three steals. Rehbaum and Suhr also topped double-digits in points combing for 21. Rossier led the team with 11 rebounds and a block. Anagnostopulos made five-of-six free throws helping Brockport to an impressive 80-percent from the line as a team.
Brockport returns home next week as the spring semester begins and students roll back to campus. The Green and Gold faithful can come support Brockport in its quest for a four game win streak on Friday against Geneseo at 5:30 p.m. Be sure to stay up to date on all your Golden Eagles @BportAthletics on Twitter and by liking the "Brockport Golden Eagles" Facebook page.