New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz rolled to its second-straight SUNYAC victory Friday night in the Hawk Center, defeating the visiting Bears from SUNY Potsdam, 77-47.
 
The Hawks (5-3 overall, 2-0 SUNYAC) came off a tight game on the road over Oneonta Tuesday where they captured their first conference win of the season, which helped break up a two-game losing skid — a first for the program since the 2018-19 season. They also wanted to bounce back after returning to the Hawk Center since suffering its first home loss in nearly two years when it fell to Misericordia Nov. 12. With all aspects at play, SUNY New Paltz came out fast and established an early double-digit cushion after creating a 7-0 run off the opening tip.
 
"After losing at home against Misericordia, we knew we had to step up and get back to winning at home," said Hawks junior forward Madison Mullman. "We knew we didn't want a close game [against Oneonta], so we knew we just needed to keep the pressure from that start and just get a big lead from the start."
 
Cassidy Deaver helped facilitate the run after knocking down her first of two 3's in the game. Jenny Walton followed, finishing underneath on a cut inside, before Deaver helped create a turnover on the defensive end, pushed and found Brianna Fitzgerald running the floor to cap the stretch.
 
 
SUNY New Paltz continued its dominance through the first quarter, allowing just two made baskets as it entered the second with a 23-7 lead. The lead ballooned to as many as 23 in the second with the Hawks knocking down 5-for-13 from 3-point range. Potsdam finished the half strong, however, going on a 5-0 run to finish the half and bring the deficit down to 35-20 at the break.
 
"We definitely wanted to make a big statement today and keep the big lead that we had," Mullman said. "We had a lull toward the end of the second quarter, but we knew we just had to step up and keep doing what we were doing earlier in the game."
 
Mullman was the catalyst in helping her team extend the cushion in the second half. She checked in midway through the third quarter and immediately answered with a swish from 3-point range to bring the lead to 52-28. Two possessions later, she knocked down another from behind the arc to give her team at 26-point advantage with two minutes left in the period.
 
Potsdam broke the 20-point difference once in the fourth, following two made free throws by Dyamon Hunter, but Mullman was there one more time to answer with another trey, as she swished on a kick-out by Stasia Epler. The Hawks maintained their comfortable cushion from there with Gabby Palladino adding two more 3's to aid in the 30-point final score.
 
Mullman ultimately ended with a game-high 16 points to match a career-total after shooting 5-for-9 from the field, including 4-for-6 from 3-point range with four rebounds and a steal in 16 minutes off the bench. Fitzgerald and Abby Korzekwinski followed with 11 points apiece with Fitzgerald adding four assists and a block and Korzewkinski finishing with five rebounds, two assists and a steal. Walton totaled 10 points and a rebound, while Deaver recorded six points, four rebounds, an assist and a steal.
 
"I definitely felt more confident going into this game," Mullman said. "I talked to coach today about my confidence and keeping that confidence up after I hit a shot and to keep shooting the ball even if I miss it."
 
SUNY New Paltz is back in the Hawk Center Saturday to face SUNY Plattsburgh at 2 p.m.

Post-Game Interview with Madison Mullman

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