Oneonta, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz secured a 65-60 road win over Oneonta Saturday.
 
The Hawks withstood a late comeback by the Red Dragons after going up by as many as 13 in the game including a seven-point lead at the break, but they hit from the line late and anchored in defensively to get stops down the stretch to improve to 7-4 overall and 3-1 in conference play.
 
SUNY New Paltz, bouncing back from a tight loss against Oswego Tuesday, used an 8-2 run to end the first half to go up seven at 27-19 at the break. Ethan St. Lucia led the surge, as he netted two from the foul line to start before capping the stretch with a 3-pointer on a kick-out by Mitchell Cumings.
 
The Hawks carried the momentum into the second half and out-scored the Red Dragons, 14-9 in the opening seven minutes to create a 41-28 cushion. Alex Krupinski helped the advantage by making a pair at the foul line before hitting on a trey with 13 minutes to go on an assist from Dakoda Smith. Cumings capped the run with two more points on made free throws, but Oneonta quickly answered with a 3-ball and began digging away at the hole. The Red Dragons brought the difference down to five with nine minutes left following another made 3, but Lucas Seyoum countered for SUNY New Paltz with a triple of his own.
 
Isaiah Rivera brought the lead back to 11 after a traditional 3-point play, getting his basket to fall at the hoop while earning the foul and making one more on the backend. Rivera knocked down an attempt from behind the arc next time down the floor, but 11 straight points by Oneonta got the difference down to four with four minutes left. A.J. Knight put an end to the run with a huge 3-pointer that stalled the hosts momentum. The Red Dragons got within one once more with two minutes left at 58-57 on a make in the paint.  
SUNY New Paltz coach Keith Kenney called a timeout and out of the break, the Hawks ate some time off the clock before working the ball down to Mitchell Cumings underneath. Cumings was hit on the way up and earned two from the line where he netted both to bring the score to 60-57 with about a minute left.
 
The Hawks then came up with a huge defensive stop on the other end, as they played glue tight defense with Ethan St. Lucia coming up with in hindsight was a win-sealing play. Following a timeout, SUNY New Paltz in-bounded and the hosts were forced to foul and put St. Lucia on the line where the made both. The Red Dragons pushed the ball down the floor for a quick two and was sent to the line on the way, making both to cut the game to 62-59 with about 20 seconds left.
 
Seyoum was placed on the foul line on the other end, and he made one to re-establish a crucial four-point lead. Oneonta got off a 3-point attempt with seconds left which hit off the back board and off the rim, but the Red Dragons picked up the offensive board and was fouled on the put-back, earning another trip to the charity stripe. The points weren't enough, however, as Rivera made two more from the foul line for the Hawks and iced the win.  
 
Rivera led the way with a game-high 19 points on 7-for-13 shooting in 38 minutes, while adding three rebounds, four steals and an assist. St. Lucia followed with 13 points, nine rebounds, two assists and four steals in 35 minutes of action.
 
The Hawks shot just above 32 percent from the floor and connected on 6-for-20 from 3-point range. They netted 23 of their points from the foul line where they made 23-of-30, while garnering 20 more in the paint.
 
SUNY New Paltz heads back on the road Tuesday to face SUNY Canton for another SUNYAC matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

*******************

To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow us on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.