Box Score Box Score
NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – The State University of New York at New Paltz women's basketball team (10-7, 8-2 SUNYAC) won its third straight game in State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play with a commanding 76-58 victory over SUNY Potsdam (2-14, 1-8 SUNYAC) Friday night in the Hawk Center.
The Hawks' pressure defense was the catalyst for them as they forced the Bears to turn the ball over 31 times and shoot just 39.6 percent (21-of-53) from the field. They also dominated the glass, outrebounding the Bears, 39-29.
Through the first 13 minutes of the contest, New Paltz led by just two before embarking on a 9-0 run that was sparked by three Potsdam turnovers and was capped off with a layup by junior guard
Zoe Cohen (Brooklyn, N.Y.) that put the Hawks in front 30-19 with 5:19 remaining in the first stanza. The Hawks would extend their lead and take a 15-point cushion into the break.
New Paltz opened up the second half on a surge and quickly stretched its lead to 17 at 53-30 with 14:57 to go in regulation following a layup by junior guard
Kaitlin Clifford (Staten Island, N.Y.). The Bears would close the gap to 15 after two free throws by Aimee Kellicutt but would get no closer as the Hawks quickly went on a 10-2 tear to widen their lead to 23 again and put the game out of reach.
Sophomore forward
Alex McCullough (Delmar, N.Y.) led the way for the blue and orange with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field. She added four blocks and two steals on the defensive end. Clifford poured in 11 points and dished out seven assists to lead the team. Cohen was a sparkplug off the bench as she put in eight points and led the team in rebounds with seven. Sophomore guard
Maliqua Fisher added eight points, as well as six steals.
The Bears were led by Kellicutt's game-high 21 points, which included an 8-of-9 mark from the charity stripe. Her impressive line also included five assists and six steals. Jessica Kouzan contributed nine points for the Bears.
The Hawks will complete their four-game home stand tomorrow as they host SUNY Plattsburgh at 2 p.m. in the Hawk Center.
