Box Score Willimantic, CT — In a back-and-forth game against hosting Eastern Connecticut State University Sunday, junior transfer Rachel Simon knocked down what turned out as the game-winning bucket for the State University of New York at New Paltz women's basketball team, which earned its first win of the season, 76-73.
 
"Overall, we have a lot to work on," said Hawks coach Jamie Seward. "We have not been pleased with the overall effort or urgency levels, but we stood tall against some adversity late in the fourth [quarter] and made just enough plays to pull out the win, and we certainly aren't going to give it back."
 
SUNY New Paltz (1-1) bounced-back from a fast-paced game against Westfield State, which put up 104 points against the Hawks in their season-opener.
 
The Warriors (0-2) held the early lead, going up 16-12 into the second quarter, but SUNY New Paltz exploded for 28 points in the following 10 minutes after taking advantage of easy buckets in transition.
 
Freshman two-sport athlete Demi Herasme was a huge beneficiary on the fast-break, as she finished with 20 points on 9-for-11 shooting from the field, while pulling down a team-high 12 rebounds — six of which were on the offensive glass.
 
"Demi played awfully well," said Seward. "But considering it was her second college game and only two weeks removed from volleyball, it's that much more impressive."
 
Eastern Connecticut worked its way back in the third quarter, but the Hawks hit a crucial basket at the buzzer to tie the score at 57 entering the fourth. Paige Niemeyer received a pass atop of the key and quickly found Herasme on a back-cut who laid in the open bucket.
 
The score was tied five times in the fourth quarter, including at 73-all following a lay-up by the Warriors' Kelsey Santagata with 54 seconds remaining.
 
But, SUNY New Paltz immediately answered with Lindsay Bettke finding Simon on the perimeter, who knocked down a clutch 3-pointer to put her team up with 51 seconds to play.
 
"Obviously that was a huge shot by Rachel," Seward said. "That wasn't what we specifically looking for, but when she came open off the screen I knew it was going down."
 
The Hawks defense took over from there, forcing three missed shots by Eastern Connecticut down the stretch, including two in the final 12.7 seconds.
 
On the final possession of the game, the Warriors took out the ball on their near sideline and in-bounded to Julie Jordan, who handed the ball of to Lizzy Cretella. Cretella pulled up for a contested mid-ranged jumper and her attempt hit the front of the rim and back in play. Santaga picked up the offensive board, but Niemeyer provided pressure and forced a missed last-second attempt to seal the win for the Hawks as the final horn sounded.
 
Simon followed Herasme offensively, finishing with 19 points on 7-for-13 shooting from the field, including 5-of-10 from 3, with six rebounds and four assists. Marion Dietz and Bettke added 13 and 10 points, respectively, with Dietz adding five rebounds and two assists and Bettke tallying seven assists on the day.
 
SUNY New Paltz is back on the road Tuesday, as it visits Hartwick College for a 7 p.m. tip-off.
 
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