It's off to the wilds of Western New York for the SUNY New Paltz women's basketball team this weekend as it enters the final half of its 2021-22 SUNYAC season. With six conference games to go and in second place in the conference standings, the Hawks look to solidify their annual quest for a home berth in the SUNYC Tournament. Two wins against Buffalo State and Fredonia would go a long way to achieving that goal.

Originally scheduled to tip-off against the Bengals Friday night, due to the pending storm the game was pushed to Sunday at noon. The last time the Hawks faced Buffalo State, they handily took a 60-35 win in early January at the Hawk Center.

The Bengals, who lost a close 57-52 contest at Geneseo Tuesday night, boast a 9-8 overall and 6-5 SUNYAC record. Against the Knights, after a disastrous first half in which they scored only 12 points, the Bengals came back strong to outscore the Knights 40-28 in the second half. Team leader in scoring (23.6 ppg) and rebounds (6.0 rpg) was senior guard Katie Villarini (5'5, Hamburg, NY) who finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds Tuesday. In the first matchup against SUNY New Paltz, Villarini netted 18 points. Sophomore guard/forward Tashawni Cornfield (5'9, Gowanda, NY) follows offensively with 12.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. 

Following their matchup in Buffalo, the Hawks travel to Fredonia the following day to take on the Blue Devils on Monday at 12 p.m. Fredonia is coming off a 76-48 loss to SUNYAC leader Cortland Tuesday night and currently hold a 10-9 overall and 5-7 SUYAC record. When SUNY New Paltz and the Blue Devils met in the Hawk Center in January after a tight first half the Hawks pulled out a 49-38 win. Against the Red Dragons Tuesday night, leading scorer(14.1 per game) and rebounder (5.6 per game) senior forward Katie Pitchern 5'11, Hannibal, NY) and second leading scorer (8.9 ppg) senior forward Lauren Mickley (5'9, Danville, NY) each had 10 points in the losing cause.

The Hawks, currently sporting a 13-5 overall and 9-2 SUNYAC record, split last weekend's road trip, losing Friday night to conference leader Cortland, 62-46 before coming back Saturday to defeat Oswego, 62-57. SUNY New Paltz has received well balanced play from a number of players. Sophomore guard/forward Brianna Fitzgerald (5'10, Dix Hills, NY) tops the Hawks in scoring at 12.1 points per game, rebounds with 5.2 a contest, and steals with 31 on the season. Close behind is junior guard/forward Maddie Gillis (5'9, Levittown, NY) who is averaging 10.1 points and five rebounds per game. With a deep and talented bench, coach Jamie Seward can look to any one or more of 12 players to contribute significantly on any given night.

Lexi Van Vorst and Fitzgerald were the top offensive play-makers against the Lakers, scoring a team-leading 14 and 11 points, respectively. While against the Red Dragons, Gillis held a team-best 10 points, while Graci Serravillo followed with nine points and two assists.

SUNY New Paltz is set to face the Blue Devils Monday in Dods Hall at 12 p.m. before taking on the Bengals Sunday at 12 p.m.

*********************
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.