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NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – Fresh off a pair of impressive season-opening victories at the Lee Fulmer Memorial Tip-Off Classic last weekend, the State University of New York at New Paltz men's basketball team will look to continue its winning ways when the Hawks host cross-river rival Vassar College at the Hawk Center on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 6 p.m.

Live Coverage: The New Paltz Athletic Communications Office will provide live in-game statistics and live video at the above links.

Records: The Hawks enter Thursday's game with a 2-0 record. Vassar has a 1-1 record. 

Series Record: New Paltz leads the series 15-7 in records dating back to the 1988-89 season... The Hawks have won the last four meetings, including a 74-58 victory last season... Vassar's last victory came on Nov. 27, 2007, 69-58, at Bard College as part of the Hudson Valley Shootout.

Scouting the Hawks: New Paltz secured two impressive victories on the West Coast to start 2-0... In the season debut against Whittier College, the Hawks trailed 35-32 at the half, but relied on clutch play down the stretch, spearheaded by junior guard/forward Taylor Sowah – who finished the game against 15 points and four rebounds – to pull out a clutch victory… He followed that performance with 16 points and seven rebounds against Redlands... Graduate student guard Nick Taldi finished with 13 points against Whittier… In the contest there were four ties and seven lead changes… Against host Redlands, the Hawks cruised to an 82-60 win, and following the victory, Sowah and senior guard Andrew Joseph were named to the All-Tournament Team... Joseph had 14 points and five assists against Whiiter and the Hawks won the game due to efficient shooting from the floor... The Hawks shot at a 52.7 percent (29-of-55) clip for the contest, which included a 63 percent (17-of-27) mark in the first half.

Statistical Leaders: Sowah leads the team in scoring (15.5 ppg) followed by Joseph (11.5 ppg)… The duo swaps the rebounding lead with Joseph at 6.5 rpg and Sowah at 5.5 rpg… Joseph leads with 4.5 assists per game.

Scouting Vassar: The Brewers split two games at the Roger Williams Tip-Off Tournament, falling to Clark, 65-62, in the opener last Friday night and rebounding with an 81-71 victory over Roger Williams on Saturday… Sophomore guard Johnny Mrlik was named to the All-Tournament Team following a 28-point game against Roger Williams.

Statistical Leaders: Mrlik leads Vassar in scoring (20.5 ppg.)... Three other players average in double figures – sophomore guard Erikson Wasyl (12.5 ppg.), sophomore center Alex Snyder (11.0 ppg) and junior forward Luka Laden (10.0 ppg)... Snyder leads in rebounding (11.5 rpg). 

Last Meeting: (Box Score): Played at Vassar on Nov. 27, 2012, the Hawks never trailed in cruising past the Brewers, 74-58… New Paltz had 10 different players score in the victory... Then senior Matt Devine carried the Hawks offensively with 19 points off 8-of-15 shooting from the floor, and he also added five boards… Then senior guard/forward Shereef Taylor and then junior guard Andrew Joseph also reached double figures, netting 12 and 10 points, respectively... Joseph grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and added a game-high four steals.

What's Next: The Hawks will remain at home, hosting Delaware Valley College at the Hawk Center on Saturday at 4 p.m… Vassar hosts Western Connecticut State College on Tuesday Nov. 26, at 7 p.m.

Coaches: New Paltz is coached by third-year head coach Mike Rejniak... Vassar is led by first-year head coach B.J. Dunne.