Ithaca, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz fell to the Ithaca Bombers 73-59 Saturday. 

In their third straight loss of the season, the Hawks (0-3) could not extend their early lead into the rest of the game, and trailed the Bombers (1-2) for the following three quarters. 

SUNY New Paltz scored first off the tip with a layup from Abby Korzekwinski, but Ithaca quickly responded with a 3-pointer. Korzekwinski layed another one in after, but the Bombers scored five in a row to overcome the deficit and take the lead. Despite the Hawks battling Ithaca for the advantage, the Bombers held onto the lead for the remainder of the quarter and led 19-12 at the close of the first. 

Caitlin Mullen started the second quickly and sank a 3 to bring the Hawks within four points. Julia Sabatino brought down a rebound and dished to Korzekwinski for an easy layup which tightened the score to 19-17, getting her team within two. Ithaca continued to tack on points to its lead, however, and followed up Korzekwinski with two straight layups. 

With just more than five minutes left in the quarter, Madison Mullman sank her second 3-pointer of the game to cut the deficit to four, but the Bombers answered with a triple of their own. Mullman hit another from beyond the arc with four minutes left, but her hot hand could not swing the momentum in SUNY New Paltz's favor enough to take the lead. 

Trailing 32-28 with one minute left in the half, Karly Wittenbauer scored a layup to bring the Hawks within two once again, but Ithaca held on through the end of the half, and finished the second up, 36-33. 

Both teams scoring slowed in the third, as SUNY New Paltz went 2-for-11 and the Bombers 4-for-18 from the field with Ithaca only netting one from behind the arc the entire quarter. However, the fourth proved to be more productive for both squads. 

Down 51-45 to start the last period, Korzekwinski got her team on the board first with a layup, once again assisted by Sabatino. Ithaca hit two free throws, but Korzekwinski was soon put on the line and sank one to re-up the Hawks' score. 

SUNY New Paltz shortened the deficit with about five minutes left in the quarter, as Hannah Vanderzee hit a free throw to bring the Hawks within five at 60-55 — the Bombers smallest lead of the quarter. However, Ithaca pulled forward and scored 14 of the last 18 points of the game, and took the win, 73-59. 

Korzekwinski led SUNY New Paltz with 19 points, seven rebounds and an assist. Mullman and Carter followed with nine points and three rebounds apiece. Sabatino dished out six assists, leading both squads in the category.

The Hawks return to the court Dec. 1, traveling to Newburgh to face the Mount Saint Mary College Knights. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.