Box Score Box Score

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Twenty-seven turnovers hurt the State University of New York at New Paltz women's basketball team (12-8, 10-3 SUNYAC) in a 73-59 State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) loss to Buffalo State (12-8, 7-7 SUNYAC) on Saturday afternoon at the Buffalo State Sports Arena.

The Hawks' offense was halted by an aggressive Bengal defense which caused 27 turnovers and forced New Paltz to shoot just 36.5 percent (19-of-52) from the field for the game. Buffalo State's ability to get to the free throw line fueled its win, as the Bengals shot 30-of-39 from the line, including 8-of-8 in the final 2:31.

The Bengals seemed to be in control in the first half as they opened up a 32-20 advantage with 2:39 remaining in the stanza following two free throws by guard Staci McElroy. However, the Hawks ended the period with a swing of momentum as they reeled off a 6-0 run to cut the lead to just six. The Hawks trailed by just six with just 4:15 remaining on the clock, but Buffalo State went on a 12-4 surge to finish the game and put away the Hawks.

New Paltz was led off the bench by junior guard Zoe Cohen (Brooklyn, N.Y.) who dropped a team-high 15 points to go along with her six rebounds, including five offensive boards. Junior guard Caitlin Irwin (Brooklyn, N.Y.) was all over the stat sheet, as she piled up nine points, five rebounds and four steals.

Barbara Kiliszek torched the nets for the Bengals with her game-high 28 points, thanks to 11-of-13 shooting from the charity stripe. Staci McElroy chipped in with 12 points and added five steals on the defensive end. Dee Layne finished just short of a double-double as she poured in 10 points and eight rebounds.

New Paltz returns to the court on Tuesday, Feb. 8, when it takes on SUNY Cortland at 6 p.m. in Cortland, N.Y. The contest was originally scheduled for Feb. 1, but inclement winter weather forced a postponement.