Las Vegas, NV — The State University of New York New Paltz opened up the D3Hoops Classic Holiday Tournament Saturday against California Lutheran at South Point Arena and fell, 70-58.
 
The Hawks were down by as many as 19 in the first half but climbed back within 11 after a 9-0 run in the final five minutes of the second quarter where they stifled the Regals offensively and forced six-straight turnovers. However, SUNY New Paltz struggled with turnovers itself and taking advantage of lost ball opportunities, unable to jump on California Lutheran miscues early.
 
The Regals got up 35-16 following a made 3-pointer that answered a swish from Hannah Vanderzee on the other end for SUNY New Paltz. However, Cal Lutheran went scoreless for the next four-plus minutes with the Hawks forcing seven turnovers to help in the unanswered run. The Regals first built on a 20-11 first quarter lead as they scored 10-straight to begin the second. Julia Sabatino finally tallied a point to end the stretch for SUNY New Paltz, earning a pair from the line after the Hawks got into the bonus with Madison Mullman contributing to the foul total for Cal Lutheran with a charge a play prior.
 
Sabatino and Vanderzee were the only points scored for SUNY New Paltz in the first five minutes of the quarter before Morgan Hammell hit from 3-point range following good ball movement with 3:30 to go igniting the 9-0 run. Sabatino followed with a trey next time down the floor, thanks to tough rebounding by Abby Kozrekwinski as she fought on the floor for the loose ball leading to the 3-ball, which cut the score to 35-22 with 2:52 to play.
 
 
Sabatino made plays on both ends, as she got up and swatted a shot away from the Regals two possessions later for a highlight block, resulting in a turnover. SUNY New Paltz pushed but coughed the ball up as Olivia Ventre stepped out of bounds down the floor. The freshman immediately made up for the miscue, however, as she got her hands on a steal, ripping the ball away on the ensuing inbound while getting fouled and earning a trip to the line where she connected on one to cut the deficit, 36-25. The play ultimately capped the Hawks run with neither team finding the bottom of the hoop in the last 30 seconds, as the two teams combined for four turnovers in the span.  
Vanderzee scored back-to-back buckets to start the second half, first on a great find by Sabatino and then forcing a steal with pressure on the ensuing inbound off the press. Vanderzee picked up the steal and then ran the floor for a transition lay-in, trimming the difference to seven.
 
SUNY New Paltz couldn't get closer, as the Regals answered with a 9-0 run to re-up the advantage to 16 before Mullman connected on a 3-pointer off a great kick-out by Sabatino to end the unanswered run. Hammell hit from behind the arc two-minutes later to get the score within 10. Sabatino found Mullman again for 3 more than a minute later to create a nine-point difference with less than three minutes to play. Caitlin Mullen subbed in and contributed with a corner 3-pointer with less than 60 seconds left in the period, getting her team as close as eight at 49-41, but Cal Luthran ended with the last five points of the quarter to establish a 14-point cushion entering the fourth.
 
SUNY New Paltz couldn't overcome the double-figure deficit in the final 10 minutes as it struggled getting a stop coupled with points on the other end.
 
The Regals took advantage of their prowess on the glass, out-rebounding the Hawks, 55-32 with 20 of their boards coming on the offensive glass. They finished with 17 second-chance points and 32 points in the paint. SUNY New Paltz pressured well defensively and forced 24 turnovers but suffered 17 of its own after generating 26 points off turnovers.
 
Sabatino was the catalyst for SUNY New Paltz, scoring 19 points with eight rebounds, four of which were offensive, with six assists, a block and a steal. Mullman followed with eight points, while Korzewkinski and Hammell each had six points apiece, while combining for 12 rebounds as Korzekwinski tied Sabatino for a team-high with eight boards. Vanderzee added six points with two rebounds, two steals and a team-leading four blocks.
 
The loss dropped the Hawks to 3-5 overall, while Cal Lutheran improved to 7-3 overall. SUNY New Paltz is back in action for game No. 2 of the D3Hoops Classic Monday against Colorado College, which defeated Susquehanna Saturday in the opening game of the day, 74-45.
 
Tip-off between the Hawks and Tigers is set for 2 p.m. PST and 5 p.m. eastern standard time.


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