Playing in its first game of 2020, the State University of New York at New Paltz is also eyeing its first conference win of the season Saturday on the road against Catskill Cup rival SUNY Oneonta.

The Hawks (4-5 overall, 0-2 SUNYAC) last played Dec. 21 and 22 in the Cruzin Classic in Fort Lauderdale, FL. They split their two matchups against Randolph and Wartburg after earning a tight, 57-56 win over the Knights to close out their winter break trip. The team got back to campus at the start of the year and have run two-a-day practices over intercession, getting prepared to get back into conference play and build off their last win. 
SUNY New Paltz faced SUNY Potsdam and Plattsburgh State to open up State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play and suffered two losses at home. The Hawks rebounded with a win three days later in the Hawk Center against St. Joseph's-Brooklyn, but know they still have better basketball to play, and are hoping to start a winning streak with a much-needed SUNYAC victory over the Red Dragons.

"First SUNYAC weekend was rough, but we have just been working hard, paying attention to the smaller details that we weren't paying attention to the first weekend," said SUNY New Paltz junior guard Jake Passaretti. "We know Oneonta and they know us, so it is important we come out and pay attention to those details, get it going and get a win."

The Hawks swept their series with Oneonta last season, beating them at home 79-77 in overtime and later 69-52 on the road. Passaretti led the team offensively in both outings, putting up 20 and 24 points, respectively, while shooting a combined 62 percent (18-29) from the floor.

In the overtime win, which came in early December in the Hawk Center, SUNY New Paltz needed a last second, game-winning floater from senior Cory Garcia to push them to their first win over the Red Dragons since 2013. They had a more convincing victory the second time around in Dewar Arena after a dominant first half in which they limited Oneonta to just 18 points on 21 percent shooting. SUNY New Paltz led by as many as 25 at one point in the second period, but the Red Dragons resiliently chipped away to get the difference to single digits with five minutes to play. The Hawks never broke, however, and made sure to close out at the free throw line to cement the series sweep.

"We swept them last year… and they are going to look to beat us," Passaretti said. "They have a target on us probably from last year. Hopefully we can come out and step on their throat again like we did last year at Oneonta and come out with the win." The Red Dragons are currently on a five-game winning streak heading into the matchup, which includes two wins in their first SUNYAC games of the season against Plattsburgh State (97-76) and SUNY Potsdam (62-60). They bring back the bulk of their roster from last season, which finished 16-11 and 10-8 in the SUNYAC, returning their leading scorer from in senior guard Kevin Mackin.

Through nine games the Nanuet, NY native is averaging nearly 16 points per game, while shooting 39 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range in 33 minutes of action. Senior guard Deegan Harrison follows offensively, averaging about 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game.

Oneonta has scored 90-plus points in three games thus far, including two 100-plus point outings. On the season, the Red Dragons average about 83 points a contest, while giving up 75 points against. They shoot well from the field, averaging about 43 percent and 34 percent from the perimeter, while moving the ball around to average more than 16 assists per game.

"Defending the 3-point line against their 3-point shooters, and basically it is just about knowing personnel," Passaretti said. "We know their shooters. We know the guys that like to get downhill, and try to take guys out of their game."

The Hawks offense, which exploded for 407 points in their first five games, has stifled as of late, averaging just 64 points in their last four contests. They have a number of guys who can score, however, led by freshman RJ Meyers-Turner who averages a team-high 12.8 points per game. Senior Tristan Wissemann and Passaretti follow with 12 and 11 points per game, respectively. SUNY New Paltz has improved on the defensive side of the floor, giving up 61 points or less in two of its last three games and are coming off arguably its best defensive performance in its latest matchup against the Knights.

"Wartburg we played great defense," Passaretti said. "That was definitely our best defensive outing of the year in my opinion. We struggled defensively, especially that first SUNYAC weekend, so it is really important that we piggy-back off that and bring it into this Saturday."

The Hawks and Red Dragons are set for a 4 p.m. tip-off Saturday in Dewar Arena in Oneonta, NY. For everything #NPHawks be sure to follow us on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.