After clinching its first SUNYAC postseason berth last Friday in nearly a decade with a tight 89-85 win over Plattsburgh, the State University of New York at New Paltz Hawks men's basketball team saw their chance for a first round bye go out the window when they fizzled Saturday afternoon in an 85-74 loss to Potsdam. Though leading 43-35 at the half the Hawks couldn't contain the Bears, who needed the win to earn their own place in the conference playoffs.

So, Tuesday night the Hawks will host the red-hot Red Dragons of Cortland, who have won their last four SUNYAC games, including Saturday's 74-66 must win over Geneseo in order to make the playoffs. Fifth seeded Cortland, now 14-11 (10-8 SUNYAC) after a shaky 7-10 first half of the season, has split the season series with SUNY New Paltz, losing at home Jan. 25, but defeating the Hawks, 82-71 in the Hawk Center Feb. 12, which started their current victory streak.

In order to move on to the conference semifinals, SUNY New Paltz must stop Cortland's big gun, 6-foot, 6-inch guard/forward Austin Grunder (Trumansburg, NY). Named as the SUNYAC/Presto Player of the Week for the third straight week, Grunder averaged 32 points and 10 rebounds in the Red Dragons' final three games, shooting 64 percent from the floor and was perfect from the foul line. 

In his two previous games against the Hawks this season, he scored 39 and 33 points respectively.

Stepping up to join Grunder in their push to the playoffs were three other Red Dragons: senior guards AJ Lawton (6'2, Saratoga Springs, NY) and Riley McEvoy (6'4, Homer, NY), junior guard/forward Kareem Lubin (6'3, South Blooming Grove, NY) and sophomore guard Danny Linehan (6'0, Blauvelt, NY). All scored double figures in the Cortland's final three games and were instrumental in the team's two regular season games against SUNY New Paltz.

For there to be a tomorrow for the Hawks season, SUNY New Paltz will have to play its most complete game of the year — offensively and defensively.

The last two outings for the Hawks have seen several key players have their best games of the season and in some instances, careers. Juniors Isaiah Bien-Aise (6'5, Westbury, NY) and Brandon Scott (6'3, Mt. Vernon, NY) and sophomores Sean St. Lucia (6'2, Niskayuna, NY), Tyreik Frazier (6'6, Westbury, NY) and Lucas Seyoum (6'5, Clifton Park, NY) have all scored in double figures. And don't discount sophomore guard/forward Solomon Neuhaus' (6'4, Plattsburgh, NY) hot hand from three-point land.

SUNY New Paltz is set to host Cortland Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Hawk Center. The winner will head to Oswego and face the hosting Lakers in the SUNYAC semifinals Friday.

Entry to Tuesday's game between the Hawks and Red Dragons will open at 6 p.m. Tickets must be purchased upon entry at the ticket booth, located to the right of the front desk of the AWC. Ticket pricing includes: $5 for adults, $3 for children and seniors, and entry is free for any students from any of the 10 SUNYAC member institutions with I.D. For more information on pricing, click here.

***********************
To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow us on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.