New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz rolled to a 40-point win over visiting Buffalo State Friday night in the Hawk Center, 85-45.
 
It was the first meeting between the two teams this season after the Hawks' trip to Buffalo was postponed due to inclement weather, but the result mirrored the last two meetings with SUNY New Paltz coming away with a convincing victory. The Hawks improved to 14-3 overall and 9-1 in the SUNYAC while continuing to hold its first place standing in the conference.
 
SUNY New Paltz never trailed at any point in the game and quickly picked up a double-digit lead with more than three minutes left in the first quarter following a made 3 by Madison Mullman and a finish in the paint by Brianna Fitzgerald. The Hawks built on the hefty cushion and never relinquished the double-figure difference.
 
Abby Korzekwinski officially gave SUNY New Paltz its largest lead of the day after knocking down a shot from the arc on a pass from Jenny Walton which pushed the score at 73-31 a few seconds into the fourth quarter.
 
The Hawks received good minutes from their bench as they continued to sustain a 40-point lead with freshman Hannah Vanderzee helping to facilitate the offense as she finished with a career-high seven assists, the most by any Hawk this year since Sabatino and Hammell registered eight against new Jersey Cit and SUNY Brockport, respectively, in their 2023 slate of the season.
 
 
"Having a career-high of seven assists felt really good," Vanderzee said. "It was really easy; my teammates made all their shots tonight and we put everything in the basket like we usually do."  
SUNY New Paltz had its most efficient shooting game of the season, as it knocked down a season-high 14-for-30 from 3-point range good for nearly 47 percent, while hitting more than 45 percent from the field. The hosts also recorded a season-high 30 assists as a team, while tallying its second-most offensive out-put on the year.
 
Walton led the way with 17 points in 18 minutes, swishing 5-for-7 from the perimeter, while adding five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Korzkewinski followed with 12 points on 5-for-6 shooting in 18 minutes, adding four rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Fitzgerald totaled 11 points on 5-for-9 shooting, also logging 18 minutes on the floor and registering five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal. Semaiah Williams was a force on the glass, pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds to go along with three assists, two blocks, a steal and seven points. Vanderzee, along with her team-leading seven assists, chipped in with seven points, two rebounds and a steal.
 
"We have a lot of length, and we move really well off the ball," Vanderzee said. "They are a smaller team, and we took advantage of our size against them pretty much."
 
The Hawks return to the Hawk Center looking for their series sweep of visiting Fredonia State, which they defeated Jan. 12, 78-70. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
 
"Tomorrow is another tough matchup for us," Vanderzee added. "We have to execute the things that we didn't execute well tonight, so we just have to know the scout, go in confident and pull out another win."

Post-Game Featuring Hannah Vanderzee


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