New Paltz, NY —The State University of New York at New Paltz suffered just its second loss of the season, falling to visiting Ithaca College Saturday in the Hawk Center, 74-73.
 
The loss pushed the Hawks record to 5-2 overall, while the Bombers improved to 7-2 on the year after Saturday's result.
 
SUNY New Paltz was led by Jenny Walton who went into the matchup coming off a career-high 34-point performance. Her hot shooting continued, especially from the perimeter as she knocked down 5-for-12 from behind the arc while shooting 30 percent overall from the field after connecting on 6-for-20.
 
The Hawks trailed for most of the first half with Abby Korzekwinski cutting the score to 34-30 at halftime thanks to a make in the paint in the final possession of the half. SUNY New Paltz stayed within striking distance throughout the second half, not trailing but any more than eight until Walton drained a 3-pointer off a dish from Brianna Fitzgerald to tie the game at 70 with less than four minutes left in the game.
 
The Hawks made a defensive stop on the ensuing possession, which helped them officially take the lead next time down the floor. Fitzgerald came up with an offensive rebound to give her team another opportunity off an initial miss by Walton, but her attempt was also off the mark before Korzewkisnki cleaned up with a put-back to push SUNY New Paltz in front, 72-70 leading to a timeout with about 2:40 left.  
Ithaca answered with a basket in the paint by Hannah Polce to tie the score once more. Both teams then went cold from the floor for the following two minutes until Fitzgerald earned a trip to the foul line where she made 1-of-2 to give the Hawks a one-point lead. The Bombers called a timeout following the make drew up a play that allowed Polce a chance at the foul line where she made both to allow the visitors to re-take the lead.
 
The Hawks had a chance at the win with the ball on the final possession of the game. Korzekwinski got a look underneath, but her shot was off the mark in the final seconds, solidifying the 74-73 outcome.
 
Polce ended up leading all scorers with 21 points with Walton following, registering 20 points to go along with eight rebounds, two assists and a steal. Korzekwinski finished with 16 points on 8-for-12 shooting in 31 minutes with six boards, an assist, a block and two steals. Morgan Hammell and Fitzgerald each had 10 points apiece and combined for nine assists and nine rebounds.
 
SUNY New Paltz has a couple weeks before its next contest, as it ends the year at the Stevens Holiday Tournament with matchups against Christopher Newport Dec. 29 and Middlebury College Dec. 30. Both games are set for a 7 p.m. tip.

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