The State University of New York at New Paltz men's basketball team will look to stay undefeated at home as it kicks off its first SUNYAC weekend of the season Friday and Saturday.

The Hawks (1-3) went all of last season without a home win, but have already walked away victorious on their home floor with a 79-72 triumph over Vassar College Nov. 21 and are hoping to build off that momentum entering their back-to-back against The College at Brockport and SUNY Geneseo.

"Winning at home is something that you really can't explain," said senior forward Brandon Guest. "Trying to keep a winning streak like that is really dear to all of us, you know protect our house. That is the biggest thing. [Friday] we just got to bring it."

Offense is balanced thus far for SUNY New Paltz, which has had a different leading scorers in three of their first four games. Dylan Balducci leads the team with 14.8 points a contest, followed by Nick Paquette (11.3), Guest (8.8) and Nick Arthur (8.0).

However, the Hawks are coming off one of their toughest matchups so far – Hamilton College, which defeated the Hawks, 104-66 Nov. 28. It was the second time SUNY New Paltz had given up 98-plus points and is currently conceding an average of 86.3 points per contest, a number they are working to decrease as the season progresses.

"Heading into this weekend we really need to focus on defensive intensity," said sophomore guard/forward Tristian Wisseman. "Every team in the SUNYAC plays very tough defense. No team will just roll over for you. With us trying to start a new culture, we really want to implement a better defensive intensity that we ca rry on."

SUNY New Paltz will first take on the Golden Eagles (3-1), who have averaged about 79.5 points per game and have won their last three outings — two of which were on the road.

Hamed Shamseldin has led Brockport this season, averaging nearly 26 points, seven rebounds and six assists per game. Along with Shamseldin, they also have three other players averaging double-figures through their first four games — Justin Summers (12.3), Josh Nelson (11.3) and Tyler Collins (11.3).

"Playing a tough team like Hamilton you're able to take in a lot of things. Sometimes a loss will teach you how to win," Guest said. "From that, we just learn how to pick guys up, certain level of toughness we got to bring especially with a team like Brockport coming in and Geneseo. It's SUNYAC play, so I know things are going to get intense, so we just got to bring it like that."

The Knights are another high-scoring team. They have netted 80-plus points in three of their four games, but have gone 2-2 in that stretch.

They are led offensively by Zack Panebianco (17.3 ppg), who is averaging nearly 50 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from the arc. Tommy Eastman (13.8), Quinn Carey (13.5) and Kevin Crockett (10.0) follow in double-figures.

"Brockport, every year they come out intense. They are a full-court pressing team. They pressure you and try to make you mess up. Geneseo, they're kind of the opposite," Wisseman said. "They're very systematic in their movements and their cuts, so Friday and Saturday are two very different type of games, but we feel that we are ready to play both of them."

The Hawks are scheduled to take on the Golden Eagles Friday at 7:30 p.m. and SUNY Geneseo Saturday at 3 p.m.

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