Potsdam, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz bounced back from a tough loss at home Tuesday with an 80-70 victory over Potsdam Friday.
 
In the win, senior A.J. Knight surpassed 1,000 career points over the course of his Division III career coupled from his one year at Fredonia and two as a Hawk. The effort was needed, as Knight led SUNY New Paltz with 19 points in 35 minutes on an efficient 8-for-12 shooting night, including 3-for-6 from 3-point range with an assist, rebound and two steals.
 
Dakoda Smith also put together a highlight performance in his own right, securing his fifth double-double performance of the year, adding 17 points on 8-for-10 shooting in 34 minutes with a game-high 13 rebounds, three assists, block and steal to aid in the 10-point win for the Hawks.
 
SUNY New Paltz trailed by five at the break after the Bears closed out the half with two made free throws following a steal in the final seconds that resulted in a trip to the charity stripe. The Hawks continued looking at a deficit until midway through the second half, as Mitchell Cuming gave SUNY New Paltz its first lead since early in the first with a make in the paint. Knight added on, grabbing a steal and laying in two more points to extend the lead.
 
The Hawks never relinquished the advantage from there as they slowly built their 10-point cushion with Knight scoring five straight, which was followed with a make by Lucas Seyoum in the paint off a find from Smith to push the lead to 10 with a minute to go. Isaiah Rivera scored two more from the foul line after the Bears cut the difference to eight with less than 40 seconds left to close out the game. 
 
SUNY New Paltz, which improved 11-5 overall and 7-2 in the SUNYAC with the victory, shot more than 51 percent from the field while hitting 42.3 percent from 3-point range on 11-for-26 from behind the arc. Sean St. Lucia finished with 18 points in 30 minutes, while adding three rebounds, an assist and three steals. Rivera contributed 11 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a steal in 25 minutes off the bench.
 
The Hawks are back in action Saturday, facing SUNY Plattsburgh at 4 p.m.
 

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