New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz suffered just its fifth loss of the season, 66-55 to visiting Brockport in the Hawk Center Friday.
 
The Hawks couldn't overcome a poor first half where they shot just 25 percent on 7-for-28 from the field and 3-for-12 from 3-point range and went into halftime trailing, 32-17.
 
SUNY New Paltz worked back into the game in the second half and opened up the final 20 minutes on a 16-0 run to earn its first lead since the three-minute mark of the game. A.J. Knight officially brought the Hawks all the way back after hitting a mid-ranged jumper to push the hosts ahead, 33-32 two minutes into the half. The Golden Eagles ended the run and re-took the lead immediately, answering with an and-1 on the other end and held a one-point advantage after missing on the ensuing free throw.
 
Kobe Bogart re-upped SUNY New Paltz's lead with about 11 minutes to go in the half off a find from Knight. After a stop on the defensive end, Sean St. Lucia bumped the cushion to five following a make from the perimeter off a feed by Ethan St. Lucia.
 
The Golden Eagles started gaining momentum midway through the half and got within one out of a timeout by the Hawks with 9:30 remaining. SUNY New Paltz then turned the ball over immediately trying to get the ball up the floor and Brockport made the hosts pay with a made 3-pointer to go up, 43-41.
 
 
The Hawks trailed from that point forward, but stuck around to get within three after Ethan St. Lucia swished from behind the arc with just less than six minutes left. However, an 8-0 run by Brockport ensued that fatten the deficit to 13, which SUNY New Paltz couldn't overcome.
 
The Golden Eagles out-rebounded the Hawks, 43-38, including 15-10 on the offensive glass which proved as the difference in the second half especially.
 
Bogart was the team's leading scorer, finishing with 11 points in 32 minutes, while adding six rebounds, one block, one assist and one steal. Knight followed with 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Tyreik Frazier was a point shy of a double-double, scoring nine points to go along with a team-high 11 rebounds.
 
Friday night's result brings SUNY New Paltz's record to 15-5 overall and 9-4 in the SUNYAC, sitting third in the conference standings.
 
The Hawks are back in the Hawk Center Saturday to conclude their regular season home slate against SUNY Geneseo. The team will honor its five graduating seniors prior to the game. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Game Highlights

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