There are half a dozen games left in the 2021-22 season for the State University of New York at New Paltz, and all of them SUNYAC games against teams they have already played. With a top seed spot and home court advantage for the SUNYAC Tournament on the line, each of the six games remaining is that much more important.

This Sunday and Monday, the Hawks travel west on I-90 for showdowns with Buffalo State and Fredonia. Victorious over the Bengals (89-75) and Blue Devils (88-68) at home in mid-January, SUNY New Paltz cannot count on repeating the past. While both Buffalo State and Fredonia are having down seasons, historically such teams have served as the great equalizers of the SUNYAC conference. Just ask Geneseo, a 67-66 loser to Buffalo State Tuesday night. 

With an ice storm hitting the Hudson Valley this weekend, the regular season finale with the Bengals was pushed from Friday night to Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. Following their one-point away victory over the Knights Tuesday, Buffalo State now stands at 3-16 overall and 2-10 in SUNYAC. Sophomore guard Robert Richards (6'3, Williamsville, NY) led the upset over Geneseo with 16 points on 7-for-14 shooting. Junior guard DaRon Hughey (6'2", Hartford, CT) added 15 points, while 6'8" junior Philbert Weekes (Brooklyn, NY) leads the Bengals in scoring and rebounding with 12.9 points and 13.4 rebounds per game, respectively.

After taking on the Bengals, the Hawks hit the thruway the following day on Monday for their regular season finale with the Blue Devils of Fredonia. After Tuesday's 89-66 loss to Cortland, the Blue Devils are 3-16 overall and 3-9 in the SUNYAC. Against Cortland, leading scorer guard Aaron Collins (6'0, Erie, PA) hit for five 3-pointers to lead Fredonia with 15 points. Following Collins is another first year player, Jackson Brown, 6'3 transfer from the University at Albany, (Latham,NY) who is averaging 11.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Brown had 22 points when the teams first met in January.

SUNY New Paltz currently sits in second in SUNYC with an 8-4 conference and an 11-7 overall record. On the road last weekend, the Hawks outlasted Cortland 73-71 but fell to nationally ranked Oswego, 82-53. Looking to bounce back this weekend are leading scorer Rylan Blondo (6'0, Brooklyn, NY), averaging 18 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game, sophomore guard Sean St. Lucia (6'2, Niskayuna, NY) averaging 4.4 assists per game and sophomore forward Tyriek Frazier (6'6, Westbury,NY) averaging 2.4 blocks per game. Against Buffalo State in January, Blondo hit for 25 points, with 14 rebounds and six assists. Against Fredonia, Blondo netted 20 points, while 17 points came from junior forward Isaiah Bien-Aise (6'5, Westbury, NY). Most importantly, SUNY New Paltz's success this season has come from a total team effort.

The Hawks are set to face Buffalo State Sunday at 2 p.m. before taking on Fredonia Monday at 2 p.m. 

*****************
For everything #NPHawks including photos, video, recaps and highlights, be sure to follow @nphawks on Twitter and @newpaltzhawks on Facebook and Instagram.