Potsdam, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz extended its winning streak to seven while keeping its undefeated record alive after earning a 58-36 win over Potsdam Friday.
 
The Hawks improved to 10-6 overall and a perfect, 9-0 in the SUNYAC following the victory, while the Bears dropped to 6-9 and 2-6, respectively.
 
SUNY New Paltz limited the Bears to only 12 made baskets in the game, as they shot less than 30 percent from the floor with the Hawks forcing 27 turnovers that correlated into 22 points. The offense was spread around for SUNY New Paltz, as 11 different players registered points, led by 13 from freshman Sophia Bonnell who shot 5-for-11 in 21 minutes while adding four rebounds, two assists and one steal.
 
The Hawks held an eight-point lead after the first quarter thanks to a 3-pointer by Caitlin Mullen to end the period. SUNY New Paltz stayed ahead the rest of the way and hovered around a double-digit cushion throughout the second quarter, but Bonnell solidified the 10-point lead following a swish from behind the arc with a minute left in the half to bring the team's lead to 28-18 at the break.
 
The second half was all SUNY New Paltz, as it ballooned the advantage to 21 after scoring nine straight points to end the period. The Hawks registered baskets from five different players in the stretch, started by a trey from Mullen that was followed with a 3-ball from Bonnell on a dish from Karly Wittenbauer. Wittenbauer then added on with a jumper off a find from Morgan Hammell. Kamryn Hoyt then piled on, getting her put-back to go before Hannah Vanderzee capped the stretch with a steal and finish to extend the lead to 44-23 entering the fourth.
 
The Hawks hung on in the last 10 minutes extending their largest lead to 24 following a make in the paint on a put-back by Grace Cozzens before the Bears answered with a good jumper to finalize the 58-36 outcome.  
 
Abby Korzekwinski followed Bonnell offensively, scoring 11 points in 17 minutes, while adding six rebounds, one assist and two steals. Mullen followed with eight points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Cozzens ended with six rebounds, an assist and two points in eight minutes.
 
SUNY New Paltz is back in action Saturday, facing SUNY Plattsburgh at 2 p.m.


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