New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz took care of visiting Buffalo State Friday night in the Hawk Center, claiming a convincing, 83-49 win.
 
The Hawks (14-3 overall, 8-2 SUNYAC) made sure not to overlook the Bengals who were still searching for their first win of the season.
 
"It felt good, especially knowing that they haven't won a game, we knew we couldn't take them lightly," said SUNY New Paltz junior guard/forward Dakoda Smith. "We knew they were going to come out and try to get their first win against us. We knew we couldn't play to their standards and play to their level. We knew that we needed to compete with a high level and play how we play."
 
Smith officially gave his team their initial lead three minutes after tip-off, running the floor and finishing in transition off a dish from Sean St. Lucia. The Hawks never trailed from that point forward and started opening up the game midway through the half, out-scoring Buffalo State 15-7 in the final eight minutes until halftime. Smith ended the first with an exclamation point, as RJ Meyers-Turner came up with a steal at midcourt with time winding down. A.J. Knight pushed up the floor to Smith who skyed up for the dunk to end the half.
 
 
SUNY New Paltz built off its 17-point lead it took into the break and secured a 20-point cushion five minutes into the second half with a pair of made free throws by Kobe Bogart after he ran the floor and earned a trip to the line. Smith followed up with a tough finish inside on another assist by St. Lucia and the Hawks kept their momentum rolling.  
The bench facilitated what became a 30-point cushion, as SUNY New Paltz started getting hot from 3-point range. Solomon Neuhuas and Lucas Seyoum each drained attempts from the arc and brought the score to 72-41 with more than five minutes to go. Meyers-Turner then finished on a strong drive inside before Neuhaus hit again from 3-point land to put the finishing touches on the rout.
 
Smith led all scorers with a career-high 19 points, shooting an efficient 8-for-12 from the field in 20 minutes, while adding three rebounds, three assists and one steal. Bogart followed with a double-double, totaling 13 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes. Neuhuas rounded out the scoring, registering 10 points in 16 minutes off the bench.
 
SUNY New Paltz returns to the Hawk Center Saturday, looking for a series sweep over visiting Fredonia State, which it defeated Jan. 12 on the road, 96-87. The game will be extra special for Smith who will go up against one of his best friends from home in Blue Devils freshman Derek Reed who had missed the last meeting. Smith is expecting the Hawk Center to be filled with friends and family to watch the matchup between the two Southampton High School alums.
 
"I'm just most excited to compete against my little brother, somebody I grew up with and always played with and I'm just ready to compete," Smith said. "It adds a big motivation. I know that if I don't win he's going to try and hold it over my head all the time, but I know we're going to come out ready to play and give it our all."
 
Tip-off between the Hawks and Blue Devils is scheduled for 4 p.m. 

Post-Game Featuring Dakoda Smith


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