By Nicholas Serrata, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Shawn Harris (left) and Sherod Harris combined for 44 points to lead Brockport to a 92-75 victory over the Potsdam Bears Friday, Feb. 9.

‘Harris’matic victory for Eagles
By Ivo Chilev
Sports Editor

Brothers Sherod and Shawn Harris ignited a spectacular comeback for the Brockport men’s basketball team in the game against Potsdam Friday, Feb. 9. After losing 41-36 at halftime, the Golden Eagles demonstrated they didn’t want to lose to the Bears for the second time this season and defeated their opponents 92-75.

Brockport (18-4 overall, 11-2 in the State University of New York Athletic Conference) went on a 22-6 run in the first five minutes of the second half to regain the lead 58-47. During that run, Sherod Harris scored four consecutive 3-pointers to inspire his teammates to win their ninth victory in a row. His brother, Shawn, also played an instrumental role in the triumph after dishing out seven assists and scoring 13 of his 21 points in the second half.

The Eagles trailed for the first time at halftime since Jan. 20, when they were losing 19-37 to Oneonta but still snatched the victory.

“We started a little sluggish,” Brockport head coach Nelson Whitmore said. “We didn’t shoot the ball real well like we have in the past few games. In the second half, our intensity defensively peaked up. We had only 13 turnovers in the game, which is something we’ve been talking about getting better at.”

Starters Cantrel Parrish and Brandon Williams combined for 30 points and 13 rebounds for the Golden Eagles, who shot 61.1 percent from the floor in the second half.

Dave Maldonado connected on four of his five attempts beyond the three-point arc.

Scoring 16 points, Damon Brown was the top scorer for the Bears, who converted nine of their 17 attempts for a 3-pointer (52.9 percent). Potsdam’s Brendan Graney contributed 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

By Nicholas Serrata, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

With the win over Potsdam, the Golden Eagles occupy undisturbed the first place in the SUNYAC standings with an 11-2 record in front of Plattsburgh (9-4) and Oswego (9-5). Brockport needs one victory in the last three games of the regular season to ensure top seed in the playoffs.

Brockport was scheduled to travel to SUNYIT on Feb.13 to face the hosts in the only encounter between the two teams this season. The Eagles will conclude their regular season games this weekend when they host Cortland (Friday, Feb. 16) and Geneseo (Saturday, Feb. 17).