Box Score Oneonta, NY -- The State University of New York at New Paltz women's basketball team battled back from a lack-luster first half and cut the deficit to just one in the final moments of the game Saturday against hosting SUNY Oneonta. But the Hawks (7-6 overall, 3-4 SUNYAC) couldn't put away the go-ahead basket to lift them over the Red Dragons (10-4, 4-2), and ultimately SUNY Oneonta took its second victory over SUNY New Paltz this season after the, 62-58, triumph.

"I am glad we came out with aggression in the second half, but I clearly didn't do a good enough job preparing them how vital this game was," said Hawks coach Jamie Seward. "Give credit to Oneonta, they really took it to us, especially on the glass and they were far more aggressive than we are."

It was an important game in terms of playoff standings, as SUNY New Paltz would have been knotted with the same conference mark with a win against the Red Dragons, who had previously defeated them on their home court in another close match up, 54-52, on Dec. 9. Now, the loss drops the Hawks in seventh-place in the SUNYAC standings, while SUNY Oneonta sits third behind SUNY Geneseo and SUNY Cortland.

"I think it's too early to talk about playoff seeding when we are going to have to scratch and claw just to have a shot to make the playoffs," said Seward. "But maybe this loss and how it puts our backs against the wall, will force us to realize we have to come and play 40 minutes with far greater urgency."

The Hawks scored just 24 first-half points while shooting less than 27 percent from the field, but picked up their shooting touch after the break. They were down by as many as 14 in the first half and cut the deficit to eight entering the fourth quarter. 

With less than six minutes to go in the fourth, Rachel Simon knocked down a 3-pointer to get SUNY New Paltz within three. Marion Dietz then followed that basket up with a bucket of her own to cut the score, 54-53, with 5 minutes, 8 seconds remaining. 

Dietz tied the game at 54 about two minutes later after a made free throw, but the Hawks couldn't get over the hump and take the lead. An offensive rebound by Madeline Frank gave SUNY Oneonta an extra possession with about two minutes left, which resulted in Frank going to the free throw line after an off-ball foul by the Hawks put them in the bonus. Frank made both attempts at the line to put her team back on top, but Demi Herasme tied the score again for SUNY New Paltz, following her put-back with 1:46 to go.

However, SUNY Oneonta responded on the other end with a 3 by Olivia Allrich and the Red Dragons never lost the advantage from there. Herasme cut the deficit back to one with 1:17 remaining, putting away a pass underneath by Dietz, but it was the last time the Hawks saw the bottom of the hoop.

SUNY New Paltz held possession down by one with 33.2 seconds left following a timeout. The Hawks patiently passed the ball along the perimeter, before Paige Niemeyer handed the ball off to Lindsay Bettke, who saw an opening down the lane. However, her floater in the paint was just off and SUNY Oneonta came up with the rebound. 

Teresa Anken hit a pair of free throws after an intentional foul to stop the clock by SUNY New Paltz to make it a three-point game with 16.1 seconds left. The Hawks again held possession in the front court and had an opportunity to force overtime, but the Red Dragons played the perimeter tight and forced Dietz to have a quick look inside for two, but her attempt was too strong. SUNY Oneonta picked up the rebound and closed out with the eventual four-point victory.

Dietz led her team with a game-high 17 points, followed by Bettke (10) and Simon (9). The Hawks ended up shooting about 36 percent from the field as a team, including 31.6 percent (6-of-19) from 3-point range. The Red Dragons held the advantage on the glass, 46-28, while the Hawks only had 11 turnovers to SUNY Oneonta's 21.

SUNY New Paltz is back on the road Tuesday to try and get a sweep over Oswego State. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Be sure to follow @nphawks on Twitter and @newpaltzhawks on Instagram and Facebook for live updates, highlights, game recaps and more! Tweet #NPHawks