The State University of New York at New Paltz host SUNY Geneseo and The College at Brockport in the Hawk Center Friday and Saturday in the Hawk Center, looking to put an end to a three-game losing skid.
 
The Hawks (5-13 overall, 1-10 SUNYAC) fell in their most recent outing Tuesday against Oswego State, 80-55, and although they were disappointed with the performance they are still locked in for two wins on the weekend. 
 
"We've just had this thing that we've been saying this year, 'just keep going.' Doesn't matter what happens in the past. It doesn't affect our future, so we just have to keep working and build off of Tuesday," said SUNY New Paltz junior guard Keith Seaman. "Even though it wasn't the performance we wanted, we're just going to keep going, build and hopefully sweep this weekend, because everyone knows what is at stake. We have a real sense of urgency within the team. "  
SUNY New Paltz lost 62-53 to the Knight Jan. 16 after they went on a 13-0 run that opened up the game midway through the second half. The Hawks fought back from a 16-point deficit with 12 minutes to go to get within six, six minutes later, but they couldn't cap the rally with Geneseo making key shots down the stretch. 
 
The Knights (7-12, 4-8) have gone 2-2 in their last four games, winning their most recent matchup on the road against Buffalo State, 79-76. Sophomore forward Michael Gannon paces the team offensively with 14.8 points per game, shooting almost 50 percent from the floor and 41 percent from 3-point range. Sophomore guard Elijah Wingfield led the team with a game-high 21 points when Geneseo faced SUNY New Paltz earlier in the year, scoring a season-high and having his most efficient offensive performance after connecting on 7-of-12 attempts from the field. 
 
"I feel like we gave out the energy and effort that was needed to pull out those two games, but it was just the execution down the stretch that we messed up a couple times," Seaman said. "I feel like if we hit the shots that we missed and we tweak a couple things on our offensive side we should be good, because I feel like defensively we match up well with both of these teams."
 
Following its game against the Knights, the Hawks will take on conference-leading Brockport (16-3, 11-1), which has won nine straight games with its only conference loss coming against SUNY Potsdam early in January. The first time the two teams met SUNY New Paltz suffered an 88-59 loss. The Hawks fought to get within five with 12 minutes to go in regulation, but a 14-0 run by the Golden Eagles put the game away down the stretch.
 
Brockport is led by senior forward Justin Summers, who is averaging nearly 18 points and seven rebounds per game, while shooting 56 percent from the field but has missed the last six games. He's followed offensively by sophomore guard Jahidi Wallace and fifth-year Tyler Collins who average about 14 and 12 points, respectively. 
 
"Honestly, I don't think it's going to be anything on their end that is going to give us trouble. It's more us," Seaman added. "I think we affect our outcome more than them. I feel like we match up very well. We're a high-intensity team, they're a high intensity team, both like to get up and push the pace, so I feel like it's a good match up on both sides. We just got to execute down in the end, box out and rebound, because they are a little bit bigger on their side. I just feel like if we do what we can do and execute our way then I think we should pull out that game as well. "
 
Despite suffering losses in its last two matchups, the Hawks have seen solid play from young players off the bench including freshman forward Tyreik Frazier and junior forwards Isaiah Bien-Aise and Brandon Scott. Bien-Aise scored a career-high 26 points against SUNY Cortland Jan. 21, while Frazier and Scott both secured double-doubles in the Hawks' most recent outing against the Lakers Tuesday. Frazier, meanwhile, is enjoying a break-out performance in the last couple games, averaging 11 points, seven rebounds and four blocks in his last two outings.
 
Saturday's game will also be a black out "Unity Game," which is a pledge initiated by the men's basketball team on behalf of the athletic department to push for unity among students, faculty and staff. There will be special halftime performances featuring Culture Shock and Shades Step Team. Friday's match up is set for 7:30 p.m. and the Hawks will tip-off against the Golden Eagles Saturday at 4 p.m.

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