Saratoga Springs, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz opened up its 2023-24 campaign with a commanding road win over Skidmore College Friday night, 79-59.
SUNY New Paltz jumped out to a 45-32 lead after shooting nearly 54 percent from the field in the first half, while knocking down 5-for-10 from 3-point range.
With six minutes left, the Thoroughbreds cut the score within three at 25-22 but a 12-2 run created an 11-point cushion within a two-minute span with the Hawks working in the paint and getting to the foul line.
Kobe Bogart,
Sean St. Lucia and
A.J. Knight each got to the line in the stretch to help in the run.
Lucas Seyoum knocked down a 3-pointer to push the advantage back to 11 with just less than four-minutes to go then returned it to double-digits after making a pair from the foul line with two minutes to go at 40-30. He then capped the half with another trey to give his team a 13-point cushion at the break.
Skidmore worked to get within seven after being down by 15 early in the second half, but SUNY New Paltz began rolling as it continued to find success in the paint and led by as many as 22 following a pair of made free throws with six minutes left by
Alex Krupinski. The Thoroughbreds never got close again and the Hawks easily closed out with the 20-point season-opening victory.
Rylan Blondo led the way with a game-high 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting with 10 rebounds, an assist and two steals. Krupinski followed with 12 points in 12 minutes off the bench. Knight added nine points, five rebounds, an assist and a steal, while St. Lucia finished with seven points, three rebounds and a game-high four assists.
SUNY New Paltz is back in action Tuesday, taking on United States Merchant Marine Academy on the road at 7 p.m.
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