BROCKPORT, N.Y. – Visiting Morrisville State College matched their season high point total Saturday, but it wasn't enough as the Mustangs were on the short end of the 49-42 high scoring Empire 8 battle with host SUNY Brockport Saturday afternoon in Brockport.

The loss drops the Mustangs to 5-4 on the year, 4-4 in conference play, while Brockport matches Morrisville State's overall record at 5-4 and collects their third Empire 8 win to up their record to 3-4.

Morrisville State bested the hosts 563 yards total offense to the Golden Eagles 306 on the day, collecting 271 in the running game behind the solid gain of senior running back Cristina Pena (Ridgewood, N.Y.) who registered a Mustang best 146 net yards on 28 carries for three touchdown scores.

Junior quarterback Cory Benedetto (Rochester, N.Y.) added 114 to the Mustangs totals, while completing 18-of-34 passes for 292 yards and two scores.

Marcus Jackson-Conner (Sodus, N.Y.) led the receiving unit with 119 yards on six receptions, posting a score, while teammate Joseph Faniel (Clyde, N.Y.) added another 80 on four catches for the second passing score.

Caleb Wright (Cortland, N.Y.) and Richardson Derosena (Brooklyn, N.Y.) led the Morrisville State defensive efforts, posting seven and six tackles, respectively.

Most of Brockport's offensive gain was in the running game, as Dan Andrews led all ball carriers with 150 net yards and five touchdowns, including the game winner late in the fourth quarter.

Struggling in the passing game, Chase Venuto was able to complete 3-of-11 passes for 96 yards and a score, before Wayne Bonsell added four completions on 10 attempts for another 20 yards.

Ian Gilhousen was the go to receiver for the Golden Eagles, catching four for a total 95 yards and a score.

Alex Egglinger led Brockport with 14 tackles, registering two for a loss of eight yards, while teammate Jake O'Connell added another 11 for the defensive unit.

It was a back and forth battle through nearly four quarters of play as each team traded scores throughout nearly the entire contest until late in the fourth. With the game tied at 42, Morrisville State pushed the ball into Brockport territory midway through the quarter, but the Golden Eagle defensive unit forced the Mustangs to turn the ball over on downs on their own 41 yard line, regaining possession with 3:25 to go.

Brockport used four plays to march the ball 59 yards for the go ahead score, including a 26 yard carry by Ray Johnson, before Andrews capped off the drive with the 19-yard scoring carry for his fifth tally of the day.

Morrisville State regained possession with 1:30 remaining on the clock, but Rashad Baker jumped the pass route and intercepted Benedetto to secure the 49-42 victory for the hosts.

The Mustangs return to the field Saturday, traveling to Alfred State for the regular season finale.

Morrisville State College's curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.

The college was ranked among the Best Regional Colleges in the North by U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges 2016 issue and was also recognized in the Top Public Schools, Regional Colleges North in the 2016 Best Colleges rankings. For more information about Morrisville State College, visit www.morrisville.edu.

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