New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz remained unbeaten in the SUNYAC Saturday after securing a 72-52 win over visiting Oneonta.
 
The Red Dragons (2-8 overall, 0-3 SUNYAC) came out tough and kept the game close in the first quarter, leading by two at 11-9 midway through the period with the Hawks struggling offensively to start but they quickly regrouped and created a five-point cushion thanks in large part to senior guard Julia Sabatino. The Bayville, NY native led the way for SUNY New Paltz, as she knocked down 3-for-4 from the perimeter to keep the offense afloat in the first half. She led all scorers after the first 20 minutes with 13 points, which had already surpassed her previous career-high of 10.
 
After taking the lead at 22-21 at the end of the first quarter, the Hawks clamped down defensively and allowed just one made basket in the second, allowing them to build a double-digit cushion. Semaiah Williams made a huge impact as she checked in and guarded the paint, tallying three blocks in the half. SUNY New Paltz then went on a 13-0 run and established its largest lead of the half at 38-21 before Sophia Wakin broke the stalemate for the Red Dragons, trimming the deficit to 38-25 at the break.
 
"It was a huge momentum shifter for us," said Sabatino of the second quarter swing. "In the beginning we were letting them score a lot of easy baskets, letting them get wide open layups and we really had to focus in on our defense. We were playing a zone, and we really have to talk, move and be like all on a string so it kind of helped us to move forward into the next half and just lock them up."
 
 
The Hawks carried their momentum over to the second half and kept Oneonta at a distance, never relinquishing a double-digit lead. The Red Dragons worked to get back within 11 at the end of the third, but SUNY New Paltz made 50 percent from the field in the fourth and secured the 20-point victory.
 
Williams was the x-factor for the Hawks in the win, as the fifth-year senior came off the bench and turned the game with her prowess guarding the hoop and her ability to rebound the ball. She finished the afternoon tying a career-high six blocks to go along with a game-high 14 rebounds, while adding seven points and an assist in 23 minutes.   
"Semaiah was a huge factor in tonight's win," Sabatino said. "She had 14 rebounds, and she was just explosive on the glass. It was a really huge game shifter for us, because it got us going. Even offensively, we would shoot it, get the rebound and just keep attacking."
 
Meanwhile, Sabatino finished with a career-high 16 points on an efficient 6-for-10 shooting, including 4-for-6 from 3-point range — all career-bests — with five rebounds, three assists and a career and game-high five steals.
 
"Right from the first basket I knew my shot was feeling good. It was wide open. They weren't guarding me out on the 3 and I knew I had to make those shots," she said. "I knew I needed to step up and make those shots, and even just take them because it puts us in a better chance in just scoring and getting ahead. I was just calm, took my shot and turned out to be a good day."
 
Brianna Fitzgerald and Jenny Walton also registered 16 points apiece. Fitzgerald shot 7-for-16 from the field and added five rebounds, one steal and a game-high six assists in 36 minutes. Walton shot 5-for-17 and totaled six rebounds, three assists, a block and two steals in 32 minutes.
 
SUNY New Paltz has a short break before its next contest, as it returns to the Hawk Center Tuesday for a rematch against rival SUNY Cortland. The last time the two teams played in the Hawk Center, the Red Dragons triumphed winning a conference title last February.
 
"We're definitely focusing on this next game on Tuesday because we only have one practice, so we're going to work hard," Sabatino said. "It's a really big game for us. We just got to stay strong and stay together as a team."

The Hawks (8-2, 3-0) are set to face the Cortland Red Dragons Tuesday in the Hawk Center at 5:30 p.m.

Post-Game Featuring Julia Sabatino


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