Brockport rolls over Keuka in E8 play

By: Ashton Townsend

BROCKPORT NY --- The Brockport Golden Eagles men's basketball team steamrolled Keuka 88-57 in conference play. Mekhi Beckett, coming off the bench, led the way with 16 points. Trailing by one early in the first half, the Golden Eagles went on a 16-6 run to take an 18-11 early lead, which they would never surrender.

Brockport's Adewale Fasanmi fighting for possession with Keuka's Jaden Keasey on Jan. 31, 2025. (Photo/Myles Goddard)

"I just come in the game and do my job," Junior guard Mekhi Beckett said. "I took open shots, they just sat in a zone all game."

Beckett netted 11 points with three threes in the first half as the Golden Eagles were up 42-31 at the end of the half.

"I loved the ball movement, we got anything we wanted (in the first half)," Brockport head coach Joe Clarke said.

The Golden Eagles then started the second half on a 10-2 run to force a Keuka timeout, spearheaded by a Zach Rice slam. Rice ended with 14 points and six rebounds in the contest.

Zach Rice (#2) shooting a three over Keuka defender Akinlana Popoola (#11) on Jan. 31, 2025. (Photo/Myles Goddard)

As Keuka started to claw back in, the Golden Eagles in the last 10 minutes of the game went on a 27-10 run to close it out.

"In that run, it was a lot from our defense," Clarke said. "Guys knocked down shots once we started pushing and advancing it. I really just challenged them defensively and I think that sparked just getting us out in front of the ball.

Jakhi Lucas added 11 points in the game, Alex Tavarez (9), Nate Gordon (8), Jacob Oka (7), Tony Arnold (7), Emilio Nabli (6), Colby Jordan (4), Miles Johnson (2), Milo Scheeve (2) and Adewale Fasanmi (2) also scored for Brockport in the win.

The Golden Eagles' success came from a 46-29 rebound advantage to go with their 15 offensive rebounds. They also had 12 second-chance points.

"We demand rebounding," Clarke said. "Whether it's offensively or defensively everybody's got to go get it, hit and be physical. We have our guard who can go rebound, they're very jumpy and very aggressive."

Most recent member of the Brockport 1,000-point club Mehki Beckett (#13) and point guard Tony Arnold (#0) on the floor together on Jan. 31, 2025. (Photo/Myles Goddard)

Guard Colby Jordan led Brockport with seven rebounds.

Akinlana Popoola led all scorers with 23 for the Wolves. Mikay Morrison ended with eight.

The Golden Eagles will face Elmira on Feb. 1, 2025, with tip-off at 4 p.m.