Willimantic, CT — The State University of New York at New Paltz took on New Jersey City University Friday in the consolation game of the Eastern Connecticut Holiday Tournament and suffered a 77-60 loss.
 
The Hawks (7-4 overall) played a tough opening round matchup Thursday against No. 9 Middlebury and took the Panthers into a one-possession game late after working out of a 20-point hole. They returned to the floor the following day and got down early against the Gothic Knights, but eventually worked their way to get ahead by one at the break.
 
Off an inbound play on the sideline, Sean St. Lucia ran onto the ball played in, drove and then kicked out to Solomon Neuhaus for an open look in the corner for 3 that cut the score, 12-10 five minutes into the matchup.
 
The Hawks and Gothic Knights traded baskets with Jonah Bevacqua creating a two-point game following a made jumper midway through the half. The score remained until after a media timeout, as New Jersey City answers with two straight buckets to extend the lead to eight with less than 10 minutes still to go in the half. Bevacqua created a two-point difference once again two possessions later after getting into the paint and earning a trip to the foul line, but SUNY New Paltz didn't take its first lead until a put-back by Dakoda Smith that pushed the team ahead, 28-26 with more than five to go in the half.
 
The score was tied three times in the final minutes of the first half with Lucas Seyoum knocking down a trey in the final seconds to bring the Hawks to a 38-37 lead at the break.  
SUNY New Paltz struggled to shoot the ball to open up the final 20 minutes, missing nine straight that allowed New Jersey City to create a 15-point cushion 13 minutes in. Bevacaqua broke up the stretch with a basket in the paint before scoring two more at the foul line to cut the score, 55-44. A big block by the Hawks' Tyreik Frazier on the defensive end allowed SUNY New Paltz to get out in transition, leading to a trey by Seyoum to get his team within eight. Seyoum stepped up again to hit on a baseline jumper to trim New Jersey City's advantage, 55-49 not long after.
 
St. Lucia earned his way into the paint with just more than nine minutes left to cut the difference to three. The Hawks stayed close until a Gothic Knights eight-point run allowed them to get out in front with SUNY New Paltz scoring just six points in the last nine minutes, which stalled the comeback.
 
SUNY New Paltz shot below 26 percent in the second half on eight made baskets, while New Jersey City earned most of its points on second-chance opportunities with 19 offensive boards, out-rebounding the Hawks, 54-29 in the game.
 
Seyoum led the way with 18 points on 7-for-10 shooting with three rebounds, two steals and a block. Blondo followed with nine points and two assists, while Smith finished with seven points, two assists, a rebound and a steal. Bevacqua added six points and six rebounds.
 
SUNY New Paltz is back in the Hawk Center Jan. 7, resuming SUNYAC play against rival SUNY Oneonta. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.

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