Box Score Westfield, MA — The State University of New York at New Paltz brought home a Westfield State Holiday Tournament title Sunday after defeating the hosting Owls in the championship game, 83-66.
 
The Hawks (5-5) faced Westfield State University (6-6) earlier in the year and gave up 100-plus points in the loss. But on Sunday, they came out hot and scored 14 unanswered points and ultimately limited the Owls to a season low 66 points.
 
"We did talk about the fact that it isn't often in life where you have a chance to redeem yourself," said SUNY New Paltz coach Jamie Seward. "We wanted to take advantage of the opportunity."
 
Westfield State University worked its way back in the first half and tied the game at 19, but the Hawks responded with a 9-0 run to keep the lead and went back up by as many as nine before the break. However, the Owls ended the half strong and cut the deficit back to three.
 
SUNY New Paltz adjusted against Westfield State University's press in the second half and had forward Paige Niemeyer bring up the ball to help evade the pressure. As a result, the Hawks diminished their turnovers to just nine in the second half and benefited by scoring 14 fast-break points.
 
"We really didn't make any significant adjustments going in, but we did make one in the second half by brining Paige up in the backcourt," Seward said. "Her size made her an easier target to inbound the ball and then her poise and composure with the ball in her hands was key."
 
The game was tied once more at 42 in the third quarter until Westfield State University took its first lead with about six minutes left after a jumper by Allison Hester. Their advantage lasted just 35 seconds before Nicole Ziogas lay-in put SUNY New Paltz back on top.
 
The Hawks took advantage on the glass to help build on their lead, which also helped limit the Owls to just 29 second-half points after out-rebounding Westfield State University to a staggering 32-12 margin in the last two quarters.
 
"The biggest difference in the second half is we rebounded the ball much better on the defensive side," Seward said. "We allowed several second-chance points in the first where we just didn't finish the play late in the shot clock, but in the second half we dominated the defensive glass with 25 defensive to their four offensive [rebounds]."
 
Niemeyer led SUNY New Paltz with 19 points on a perfect 8-for-8 from the field, while adding nine rebounds, three assists, three steals and block on her way to earning Tournament MVP honors.
 
Madison Van Pelt followed with 18 points on 8-for-11 shooting to go along with eight boards, two steals and an assist. Marion Dietz and Rachel Simon chipped in with 15 and 12 points, respectively, while also pulling down seven rebounds apiece.

The Hawks return home Friday and Saturday to take on SUNYAC rivals Oswego State and SUNY Cortland on Friday and Saturday. For live updates, recaps, photos, video and more, be sure to follow @nphawks on Twitter and @newpaltzhawks on Instagram and Facebook.