West Point, NY — The newest version of the State University of New York at New Paltz men's basketball team took the court for the first time in 21 months Tuesday night in an exhibition game at Army. 

The Hawks, who last played on Feb. 22, 2020, lost the game 83-52 to the Black Knights, but the result was largely insignificant, as an exhibition contest such as Tuesday's is one that is used more as a learning tool and team builder more than anything. The team, which started sophomore guards RJ Myers-Turner and Sean St. Lucia, freshman Solomon Neuhaus and junior big man Isaiah Bien-Aise and sophomore big Tyreik Frazier, laid the foundation for what they hope will be a strong 2021-2022 campaign despite the defeat. Army, who plays out of the Patriot League, displayed their size and athleticism advantage throughout the contest, an advantage that comes with being a Division I program. 

Frazier asserted himself despite early SUNY New Paltz turnovers — with the Hawks tallying 10 in the first half — getting a layup off a back cut on a pass from St. Lucia, and then a dunk off of a pick and roll dish from St. Lucia. The chemistry between the two was clear, as Frazier once again scored a left-handed layup off the glass on a pass from the 6'2 guard, as the two had some success splitting the Black Knight defense. Frazier opened the opening half with eight points and eight rebounds in 16 minutes. 

An extended 17-0 run ensued for Army as the opening half wore on though that was marked by its interior size, defense and ability to create turnovers, as senior guard Josh Caldwell, who finished the game with 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals, was able to turn defense into offense in the open floor. 

Taking the most advantage of the Black Knights' size advantage was 6'9, 223-pound sophomore center Charlie Peterson, who was able to score around the basket on his way to 10 points and five rebounds in the opening half and finishing the game with 17 points and eight rebounds — his eight rebounds providing the difference in a 45-37 rebounding edge for his team. 

The Hawks ended the Army run when Neuhaus hit a 3-pointer from the right side on a cross court pass from Frazier to cut the score, 35-15. Myers-Turner hit five quick points near the end of the half, with a 3-pointer from the top that softly hit the net off the backboard, and then a nice fall away jumper from the left baseline. At the conclusion of the first 20 minutes, the Hawks trailed 44-24, and shot 30.3 percent in the opening half to Army's 59.4 percent. For the game, SUNY New Paltz shot 30.4 percent, while the home team finished 54.8 percent from the floor. 

St. Lucia got the Hawks on the board first in the second half with a right-handed floater, and Myers-Turner provided a big highlight moments later when he crossed over Jordan Coleman and kissed the ball off the glass for the lay-in plus the foul that gave SUNY New Paltz their 33rd point of the game. Brandon Scott provided another highlight-reel finish when he scored on a pretty up-and-under lay-in at the 11:02 mark where he drew a foul and made the ensuing free throw. He finished with seven points in 18 minutes on 2-of-6 shooting. 

Black Knights' sophomore guard Jared Cross hit a 3 from the left side that pushed the Black Knight lead to 26 at 66-40 with 9:53 remaining. Lucas Seyoum scored his only basket of the game seconds later, banking in a 3 from the top of the circle over Peterson. 

SUNY New Paltz coach Keith Kenney gave his young players an opportunity in the final minutes, with freshmen Alex Krupinski, Matt McCabe, Luca Sanna, Mitchell Cummings and Isaiah Folk all finishing out the game on the floor. Krupinksi scored his only points on a pretty left-handed layup in the lane at the 3:44 mark that he set up with a nice spin move. Sanna, Cummings, and Folk did not register field goal attempts, but Krupinski and fellow freshman Dakoda Smith finished with two points, and guard Phil La Rosa hit a 3 from the right corner for his only bucket.  

Frazier led the Hawks with 12 points, a game-high 14 rebounds (nine offensive), and a game-high three blocks. He was 6-of-10 from the field, outstanding on the interior with good hands around the basket and providing a great presence defensively. 

"Tyreik was impressive with his rebounding and finishing, especially with nine offensive rebounds," Kenney said of his sophomore forward. "He will be a force to be reckoned with." 

Myers-Turner was the other Hawk to finish in double figures, going for 11 points on 4-of-14 from the field. 

"I was really impressed with our guy's competitiveness, toughness, and physicality," Kenney said of his group. "We competed and fought and played them even at times. I think it will prepare us for our season. We have much to work on but I like where our team is at currently." 

SUNY New Paltz opens up their regular season next Wednesday at 7 p.m. from the Hawk Center against Farmingdale State.