Box Score
NEW PALTZ, NY- The New Paltz women's basketball team defeated the Red Dragons from Oneonta Friday night 56-43 on senior night. The Hawks defense forced 23 turnovers and held Oneonta to 2-of-18 from behind the arc to improve 16-9 overall and 13-5 in the SUNYAC and secure the third overall spot going into the SUNYAC Tournament Tuesday.
Nicole Sarcone and Alexandra McCullough each had a game-high of 13 points and Sarcone added a game-high of eight assists and four steals on the night. Caitlin Irwin finished with 11 points and five rebounds. Maggie Farrell had eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds for the Hawks.
Mary Kate O'Connell scored a team-high nine points on 7-of-10 from the free throw line and Sara Chrystie and Erika Puffer each scored eight points a piece. Oneonta falls to 16-9 overall and 14-4 in the SUNYAC.
Oneonta opened the game scoring the first four points three and half minutes in. Irwin's jumper a minute later gave the Hawks their first points of the game and #Alexandra McCullough three-pointer from the top of the key gave the Hawks the lead 5-4 with 15 minutes, 13 second to go in the half. After a lay-up by McCullough, the Hawks would go on a 12-2 run over the next six minutes to take an 18-9 lead. After a three-pointer by Rebecca Bucci of Oneonta to cut the Hawks lead to six, Sarcone answered back with a three-pointer to ignite an 8-2 lead to increase the Hawks lead to 12 with one minute, nine seconds to go. The dominated the first half, forcing 12 turnovers which lead to 11 points. The Hawks also outscored Oneonta 12-2 in the paint and 17-3 off the bench.
In the second half, the Hawks continued the dominance as they pushed their lead to as many as 14. Oneonta cut the lead to eight with six minutes, 19 seconds to go, but the Hawks quickly regain their double-digit lead. The Hawks bench outscored the Red Dragons bench 14-9 in the half and held an 11-3 advantage in points off turnovers
