Box Score Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The State University of New York at New Paltz men's basketball team (4-3) moved back above the .500 mark on Tuesday evening in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., as the Hawks sunk host Vassar College (1-6), 72-39, in non-conference action.

Sophomore guard/forward Matt Devine (Manalapan, N.J.) led the way with 14 points, connecting on 10 free-throw attempts. Freshman guard Lamard Herron (Westbury, N.Y.) contributed 13, while sophomore guard Lorenzo Brown (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and junior guard Harris Wichard (Merrick, N.Y.) added 11 and 10 points, respectively. Vassar was paced by John Donnelly, who poured in 21 points off the bench.

New Paltz took an early lead in the first half going on a 9-0 run sparked by Brown and Devine less than three minutes into the contest. Vassar battled back, though, trailing 16-14 with 7:33 remaining. New Paltz closed out the half with a 17-6 to take a 33-20 lead at the break.

New Paltz carried its strong play into the second half with solid contributions from Herron and Brown to push its lead to 21 points midway through the second half. The Hawk offense put together one final run, going on a 17-7 streak to make the score 67-36 with 2:38 remaining to cruise to the 33-point victory.

Wichard reeled in seven rebounds to go along with his 10 points. Despite connecting on only two shots, junior guard Shereef Taylor (Hyde Park, N.Y.) filled up the stat sheet, grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out six assists. In an all-around team effort, all but one Hawk player registered points during the contest.

New Paltz limited Vassar to 33 percent shooting from the floor, as Donnelly was the only player on the opposition to score more than seven points.

The Hawks resume their season on Wednesday, Jan. 5, opening up the New Year against Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., at 7 p.m.