Plattsburgh, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz broke up at eight-game losing streak and got some pay-back on a Plattsburgh State team that ruined its playoff hopes a year ago. The Hawks secured a 73-68 win over the Cardinals Friday night in Memorial Hall and shrunk Plattsburgh's chances of clinching the last spot in the conference tournament next week.
 
SUNY New Paltz (6-18 overall, 2-15 SUNYAC) made 46 percent as a team on 17-for-37 shooting from the field in the first half and limited Plattsburgh (8-16, 5-12) to just nine made baskets, as it made just 25 percent, which helped the Hawks to a 10-point lead at the break.
 
After going up 40-30 heading into the second half, SUNY New Paltz stretched its cushion to as much as 16 midway through the second half following a dunk on the break by Brandon Scott. The Cardinals worked their way to within four after two made free throws by Travis Cox, who led the way for the hosts.
  Scott Reisert answered with a put-back for the Hawks to get the difference back to six. Plattsburgh got to the line and trimmed the deficit to three after a made foul shot by Matt Bernhardt, coupled by an and-1 by Cox with about 46 seconds to go. SUNY New Paltz limited the scoring from there, however, and closed out with a defensive stand and made free throws by Jake Passaretti in the last 15 seconds to pull away with a 73-68 win.
 
Reisert was the catalyst for the Hawks, finishing with a team-high 21 points and 13 rebounds, shooting 10-for-15 from the field, while adding five assists, two blocks and a steal. Passaretti and Meyers-Turner followed with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
 
"Scott played great," said SUNY New Paltz coach Keith Kenney. "We wanted to get the ball inside all game and he was a force down there. Got good team effort and contributions from Rylan [Blondo], [Matt] English, Brendan, Nick [Arthur] and Tyreik [Frazier]. Solid team effort."
 
The Hawks end their season Saturday on the road against SUNY Potsdam, taking on the Bears at 4 p.m.

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