The Stylus Sports
 

Eagles take championship on another comeback win

By Jim Krencik
SPORTS EDITOR

Photos By Laura Popielski, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

From top: Ashley Broadhurst, Kiomi Matthews and Christine Princehorn
Spots in the NCAA Tournament have to be earned and after a season of hard work, relentless comebacks and dominating performances the College at Brockport women’s basketball team has earned their way into the 63-team tournament.

The Golden Eagles (24-4, 14-2 SUNYAC) will continue their sensational season Friday, March 7, with a first-round game against the Emmanuel College Saints (22-6).

The two teams are half of a pod that will compete at William Smith in Geneva, N.Y. The winner of Brockport’s game will take on the winner of the William Smith (23-3) vs. Colby-Sawyer (21-7) game for a spot in the Sweet 16 against the winner of the Thomas More-hosted pod.

The tournament process gets more confusing from there, but something that is plain and simple is that the Golden Eagles were the best 40-minute team in the SUNYAC. This was particularly evident in the championship game of the conference tournament against the Cortland Red Dragons, where a double-digit deficit was flipped in just more than eight minutes in the second half of a 75-59 win.

The never-give-up Eagles were led in the championship game by Courtney Hines, who connected on four second-half three-points. Hines scored a game-high 24 points, while Ashley Broadhurst, who was named tournament and SUNYAC Most Valuable Player, added 23 points.

The Golden Eagles trailed Cortland 37-23 with more than 18 minutes left in the game before making their big run. The 54 points scored in the second half by Brockport was one point shy of the most by any team in the SUNYAC Tournament.

The high point total is surprising considering the Golden Eagles played without senior forward Kim Schon, who missed the tournament with an injury. Kiomi Matthews stepped up, grabbing 13 rebounds in the final.

Brockport nearly lost their shot to reach the championship game, as the New Paltz Hawks brought Brockport all the way into overtime in the semi-final matchup. The Golden Eagles’ never trailed, but a layup with 11 second left in second half tied the game for the first time since the opening-tip.

The Golden Eagles responded by holding the Hawks to only five points in the overtime session. Brenlyn Campbell scored the first four points of the extra period and Broadhurst and Christine Princehorn clinched the win with free throws.

Brockport’s season is not over yet, but the accomplishments have already piled up. The 24 wins so far this season is a school record, and Broadhurst (Player of the Year) and Michele Carron (Coach of the Year) were both honored by the SUNYAC. We’ll soon find out if there is any more hardware to be earned by Brockport this magical season.