Plattsburgh, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz collected its 10th-straight victory Friday after defeating Plattsburgh State, 73-45.
 
The Hawks (21-3 overall, 16-1 SUNYAC) locked up the No. 1 seed in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) and was looking to end the regular season with a pair of series sweeps on the weekend, and accomplished that feat against the Cardinals (7-17, 4-13).
 
Despite already being eliminated from playoff contention, Plattsburgh came out and played hard from the start and kept the game close after the first 20 minutes. Down by 10 with two minutes left, the Cardinals cut the deficit to six following two made free throws by Taylor Durnin with just more than a minute remaining. Lexi Van Vorst answered for SUNY New Paltz, however, draining a 3-pointer to bring the difference back to nine. A last second bucket though by Ly'rell Walker cut the score back down to 29-22 at the break.  
The Hawks opened up the game in the second half and saw their lead balloon to 16 to end the third quarter. They finished the final five minutes on a 12-3 run to secure the 28-point victory.
 
"We had trouble finishing in the first half. Then, maybe that began to impact the way we defended in the second quarter and we gave up some easy ones to finish up the half," said SUNY New Paltz coach Jamie Seward. "In the second half we finished much better around the basket."
 
The Hawks netted 40 of their points in the paint and shot nearly 50 percent in the second half where they scored 44 points. Maddie Van Pelt led the team with 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals, while making 6-for-11 from the field. Olivia Badura and Lexi Van Vorst followed with 11 points apiece, with Van Vorst adding two rebounds, two assists and two steals in 20 minutes off the bench.
 
SUNY New Paltz closes out the regular season Saturday at SUNY Potsdam. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
 
"We are trying to go out there and play well," Seward added. "Trying to get closer to a complete game on offense and defense, and closer to 40 minutes of it."

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