After 11 games to open up the season, the State University of New York at New Paltz made history in its 7-2 start and perfect 5-0 record in the SUNYAC and before going on a two-week hiatus, it finished on a six-game winning streak. The Hawks return to the court Friday and will put their winning streak to the ultimate test, playing one of the best teams in the country in No. 9 nationally ranked Middlebury College.
 
"It's awesome to be a part of the start we've had," said SUNY New Paltz junior guard Sean St. Lucia. "Obviously, it's history and no one's done it before, but we still have a lot of work to do. We're 5-0 [in the SUNYAC] and we've got a lot of season left so we just have to keep working."
 
The Panthers (8-1 overall, 0-0 NESCAC) are a tough opening round matchup for the Hawks as they enter the Eastern Connecticut Holiday Tournament, joining the hosting Warriors and the New Jersey City Gothic Knights.
 
Middlebury started the season 5-0 before suffering its first and only loss of the season against then No. 10 University of Rochester in a tight contest, 72-70 Dec. 4. The Panthers have gone onto win three-straight including a victory over SUNYAC's Plattsburgh State, 78-59 and Skidmore College, 73-53 — with the latter defeating the Hawks, 76-72 earlier this season.
 
 
The Panthers are led by 6-foot, 8-inch senior forward Alex Sobel who paces the team offensively with nearly 21 points and more than 13 rebounds per game, while shooting 57 percent from the floor. The Setauket, NY native has totaled a double-double in all but two games this season, while scoring a season-high 29 points with 20 rebounds, adding four assists and seven boards in the victory over the Thoroughbreds.
 
As a team, Middlebury averages about 74 points per game, while holding its opposition to 63 points a contest. It thrives on the glass, pulling down nearly 48 boards per game with a rebound-margin of plus-16. Sophomore forward David Brennan contributes on the glass, pulling down nine per game, followed by 6-5 guard Sam Stevens who totals five rebounds a contest to go along with 12.2 points per game. 
 
"It's always great to play nationally ranked teams. Last year we played Oswego — it's a great test for us," St. Lucia said. "We put in work every day and playing teams like that really exploits our weaknesses and makes us better."
For the Hawks, they are averaging 83 points per game, yielding 73 a contest, while shooting 48 percent from the floor. Rylan Blondo, an All-SUNYAC selection a year ago, leads the team with 19.6 points per game, shooting 49 percent from the field and 31 percent from behind the arc. Lucas Seyoum, Isaiah Bien-Aise and Tyreik Frazier follow, averaging about nine points per game. Frazier, Bien-Aise and Blondo also lead the team on the glass, all averaging about six per game.
 
"Breaks are good and bad. My legs are a little tired now, but it feels great we're all ready to go. We've got a game [Thursday] and a game Friday and we're ready to get after it," said St. Lucia who is the team's leading benefactor, already totaling 50 assists thus far, which is the most in the SUNYAC and ranks 29th in the nation. "They're one of the best teams, maybe the best team, we'll play all year. We just have to make sure we practice hard, stay disciplined and do everything we've learned in practice."
 
Following the first round Thursday, the winner will move forward to face the winner of the Eastern Connecticut versus New Jersey City matchup, as the other two teams will compete in the consolation game, also Friday.
 
The hosting Warriors are 3-7 overall, coming off a Little East Conference win over Plymouth State Dec. 10. The Gothic Knights are 6-4 overall, owning wins over Delaware Valley, Stevens, Misericordia, William Paterson, TCNJ, Ramapo and most recently, Farmingdale State Dec. 17.
 
The Hawks are scheduled to face No. 9 Middlebury Thursday in Willimantic, CT at 5 p.m.

Sean St. Lucia Preview Interview


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