New Paltz, NY —The State University of New York at New Paltz bounced back from a tough loss against nationally ranked Oswego and earned a convincing 74-52 win over visiting Potsdam Friday night in the Hawk Center.
 
The Hawks' defense propelled the victory over the Bears, as they limited their opponent to just 31 percent from the field and 27 percent from 3-point range on 7-for-26 shooting from behind the arc.
 
"It was a big win for us, coming off a bad last game," said SUNY New Paltz junior guard/forward Dakoda Smith. "We had a tough opponent in Oswego, so we knew we had to come into this game with good intensity, good energy, and come ready to play. We knew we would have to make a statement this game and show what we're really capable of."
 
Potsdam got out in front early. After an alley-oop in transition and back-to-back made baskets with the latter coming from behind the arc from Colton Huestis, the Bears took a 9-8 lead five minutes into the half and forced Hawks coach Keith Kenney into a timeout. Kenney went to his bench out of the stoppage and entered Alex Krupinski, Mitchell Cumings and Ethan St. Lucia into the game who turned the momentum for their team as they helped ignite a 10-0 run. Krupinski knocked down a pair of triples to cap the stretch and put SUNY New Paltz in front, 21-12 with about 11 minutes to go and forcing the Bears into a timeout.

 
 
SUNY New Paltz held on from there, as its bench continued to step up to aid in maintaining the double-digit lead. St. Lucia and Thomas Keane both hit from the perimeter, but Krupinski was the catalyst offensively in the first half for the Hawks as he finished with 11 of his final 16 points in the opening 20 minutes to aid in the 35-23 lead at halftime.  
Smith then took over in the second half and kicked off the period with a two handed slam in transition in the opening minute. The Bears brought the score down to 42-33 with about 13 minutes left after a made trey, but Smith answered, as he stayed aggressive, attacked the hoop and earned a pair at the free throw line. Potsdam's Kaleb Lewis trimmed the difference down to eight with a made layup, but Smith again responded with a trip to the foul line to re-up the double-digit lead.
 
"It honestly felt good. I couldn't really get into a rhythm in the beginning of the season, so it felt good to be able to finish around the rim, make good decisions, get to the basket and finish through contact," Smith said.
 
The closest Potsdam came within SUNY New Paltz's lead was midway through the half following four unanswered points to bring the score down to 45-39. Krupinski came up clutch and hit back-to-back shots though to reestablish a 10-point cushion for his team and from there the Hawks rolled and opened up a comfortable lead to secure the 22-point win.
 
Smith earned his first start and posted a career game in 22 minutes of action, shooting an efficient 6-for-10 from the field and making 5-for-6 from the foul line, finishing with a career and game-high 17 points with five rebounds, a block and tying a career-high with four steals.
 
"I had talked to coach prior to the game and he had mentioned me starting in a way, so I let him know that I would come in and come ready to produce and give it my all whenever I can," Smith said. "I was just happy to have the opportunity to give it my all and play with my team."
 
Krupinski followed offensively with 16 points on 6-for-14 shooting, including 3-for-4 from 3-point range with three rebounds and an assist in 20 minutes off the bench. St. Lucia also provided key minutes off the bench, posting a career-high 13 rebounds to go along with two blocks and three points in 21 minutes.
 
SUNY New Paltz improved to 11-3 overall and 5-2 in the SUNYAC with the win and look to put a new winning streak together Saturday, as the Hawks host SUNY Plattsburgh in the Hawk Center at 4 p.m.
 
"We just know we can't take any opponents lightly," Smith added. "It's the SUNYAC. Every team is ready to come in and play, ready to give it their all and we can't take any team lightly. We have to take every team like it's a playoff game and come ready to play."

Post-Game Featuring Dakoda Smith


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