Box Score Willimantic, CT — The State University of New York at New Paltz women's basketball team kicked off its season in a fast-paced game against Westfield State (2-0) in the Eastern Connecticut State University Tournament Saturday.
 
The game was tied six times with nine lead changes in the first quarter, but once the Owls gained momentum, the Hawks (0-1) had trouble slowing them down and ultimately fell, 104-88.
 
"Westfield State plays such a unique way, and it's obviously very difficult to truly prepare for them because of that," said SUNY New Paltz coach Jamie Seward. "That being said, I think that we handled their pressure and depth well enough, but we capitulated toward the third quarter."
 
The game was knotted at 24 with about two minutes left in the first quarter, but Westfield State went on a 8-4 run to end the period to take the lead, which it never relinquished the rest of the contest.
 
SUNY New Paltz slowed down the pace a bit out of the halftime break, which allowed the Hawks to climb back within three with 4 minutes, 37 seconds to play in the third. However, the Owls continued hitting big shots behind the perimeter, knocked down 3-of-4 from the line and ended to period on a 15-7 run to retain the advantage.
 
"I thought we had taken control of the game that was being played, and despite missing some easy shots around the basket, had cut the lead to four or five," Seward said. "We gave in late in the third, whether it was to fatigue or the mental stress that their style puts you under. We fouled them and we gave up a couple 3's that they took advantage of. To me that was where the game was won and lost."
 
Westfield State took a 75-64 cushion into the final 10 minutes. SUNY New Paltz got within eight several times down the stretch, including with 1:40 left thanks to a 7-2 run with Paige Niemeyer facilitating the charge with six-straight points.
 
However, the Owls countered with an 8-0 run, draining 6-of-6 from the foul line to close out the win.
 
The Hawks out-shot Westfield State from the floor, 41.5 percent to 39.2 percent, respectively, but the Owls knocked down 12-of-33 (36.4 percent) from behind the arc.

Each team conceded 26 turnovers and tallied 18 assists as a team, while SUNY New Paltz held the advantage on the boards, 50-45. But the difference was on the bench, as 16 players stepped on the court for Westfield State with 48 points coming from its reserves.

Lindsay Bettke and Niemeyer led the Hawks offensively with 26 and 21 points, respectively. Bettke also added five rebounds and two assists, while Niemeyer registered six boards and four helpers.
 
Rachel Simon was a rebound shy of a double-double, finishing with 12 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Marion Dietz pitched in with nine points, four rebounds and four assists, while Madison Van Pelt added six points and 11 rebounds off the bench.
  
The Hawks are back on the court Sunday, taking on Eastern Connecticut State in the second round of the Eastern Connecticut Tournament at 1 p.m.
 
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