Box Score Brockport, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz women's basketball team battled back to get within a basket down the stretch against The College at Brockport Saturday, but ultimately the Hawks couldn't get the go-ahead bucket to fall and lost their second-straight contest. 
 
"They out-rebounded us and out-shot us, but more than anything they out-toughened us," said SUNY New Paltz coach Jamie Seward after the 70-63 loss. "They bullied us around and obtained deep, deep position in the paint right from the start. That set the tone, and they continued to dominate us around all game."
 
The Hawks (14-9 overall, 10-6 SUNYAC) struggled to get their offense going off the opening tip, but battled back from a 6-0 hole to gain their first lead with three minutes left in the period following a 3-pointer by Rachel Simon.
 
Holding onto a one-point advantage heading into the second quarter, the Golden Eagles (11-12, 9-7) quickly took back the lead to open up the period. But from there, there were five lead changes with the score knotted twice before The College at Brockport ended the half on a 7-0 run to take a six-point lead into halftime.
 
The Golden Eagles took their momentum into the second half and built their largest lead of the game, going up by 15 midway through the third quarter. 
 
SUNY New Paltz battled back, however, and ended the period strong. Marion Dietz hit a pair of free throws, followed by a Taylor Howell 3, another set of made free throws by Philesha Teape and a 3 from Lindsay Bettke brought the Hawks back within eight.
 
The College at Brockport saw its lead balloon to 13 once more in the fourth quarter, but again the Hawks fought back to get within a basket to tie it. Simon hit from behind the arc to cut the deficit to four with 2 minutes, 22 seconds left, but the Golden Eagles pushed their lead back to six with two made foul shots on the ensuing possession.
 
On the next SUNY New Paltz possession Marion Dietz came up with a big offensive board, throwing the ball back into play before heading out of bounds. The Hawks swing it around and find Bettke for 3, who swished to cut the deficit, 63-60, with 1:56 left.
 
After a missed layup on the other end by The College of Brockport, Dietz earned a trip to the foul line for the Hawks and after making 1-of-2, brought the score down, 63-61, with 1:19 remaining. But, that was the closest SUNY New Paltz got to the lead, as the Golden Eagles responded with four-straight points, and hit enough from the foul line to earn the win.
 
The College at Brockport out-rebounded (54-37) and out-shot (43.6-30.4 percent) the Hawks, and also got a huge day from forward Lindsay Johnson, who finished with 24 points on 11-for-19 shooting and 19 rebounds — nine on the offensive glass —in 34 minutes. Emily Nestler (15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists) and Bailey Pratt (12 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists) followed offensively for the Golden Eagles.
 
"Johnson was dominant and certainly was the catalyst, but all three of their bigs had their way with us — posting up, rebounding, you name it," Seward said. "Even their guards were more active and more physical than ours and beat us to long rebounds and loose balls from start to finish."
 
Simon finished with a team-high 19 points on 7-for-19 shooting, three rebounds and two steals to lead the Hawks. Lindsay Bettke added 14 points on 5-for-12 shooting, while Dietz recorded 10 points, four rebounds and two assists. Madison Van Pelt chipped in with seven points and 12 rebounds.
 
"We had far too many players who were nothing more than observers out there and that is disappointing, especially at this juncture of the season," Seward said. "It will be interesting to see how they come back on Monday and whether they have a stronger resolve or if they are just done with this season, because tonight's effort was surprising and beyond disappointing."
 
SUNY New Paltz hopes to bounce back next Friday and Saturday, when it concludes its season on the road against SUNY Potsdam and Plattsburgh State. Be sure to follow @nphawks on Twitter and @newpaltzhawks on Instagram and Facebook for updates, scores, recaps and more!