Annandale-on-Hudson, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz opened up the Hudson Valley Tournament at Bard College Friday, facing Vassar College.
The Hawks (1-2 overall) couldn't overcome a poor first-half shooting performance and fell to the Brewers, 85-76 despite out-scoring Vassar, 50-43 in the second half.
SUNY New Paltz needed to dig out of a 16-point first-half hole with the team shooting less than 29 percent from the field, making just eight baskets in the opening 20 minutes. A three-point game with less than eight minutes to go, Vassar ended the first half on a 22-6 run to flex a 42-26 advantage at the half.
With more than 13 minutes left in the second half, the Hawks got the difference in single digits as
Dakoda Smith laid in two off an assist by
Jonah Bevacqua. After the two teams traded points to create a 10-point cushion,
Rylan Blondo hit on a jumper and following a stop on the defensive end, Blondo got to the foul line, making both to bring the score to 58-56 Brewers with still 11 minutes left. SUNY New Paltz couldn't took advantage though, as Vassar answered with a 7-2 run to bring the difference back to 13.
The Hawks got the score as close as seven twice down the stretch — off a 3-ball by Isiah Bien-Aise with 5:40 left and again at 4:53 following a pair of made free throws by Blondo, but the Brewers sustained the double-digit lead in the final two-plus minutes to come away with the win.
Blondo finished with a season-high 29 points on 8-for-16 shooting with four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Bien-Aise and
RJ Meyers-Turner each head 12 points.
SUNY New Paltz finished the night shooting 44 percent from the field, while Vassar made 52 percent from the floor.
The Hawks conclude day two of the Hudson Valley Tournament at Vassar College when it face Bard College Saturday at 4 p.m.
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