New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz earned a 70-55 win over visiting Vassar Wednesday night in the Hawk Center.
 
The Hawks (2-0 overall) were backed by a double-double performance by graduate student Brianna Fitzgerald, who in 24 minutes shot 7-for-11 with a team-leading 17 points and 15 rebounds, which included a team-high five offensive boards to go along with an assist and a steal. Freshman Summer Perry also finished with her first career double-double, totaling 10 points on 5-fo-11 shooting with 12 rebounds, three steals and a team-high five assists.
 
SUNY New Paltz never trailed at any point in the game, as a 13-0 run midway through the first quarter helped establish a double-digit cushion with Macie Perry scoring off an assist from sister Summer to cap the run and extend the advantage, 18-5 with just less than three minutes left.  
 
The Brewers (0-1) got within 10 after scoring four-straight points to end the period and broke into the 10-point difference with the opening points of the second, but the Hawks started working the ball in the paint stemmed from Vassar turnovers, as the hosts totaled five steals in the quarter to help a 37-18 halftime lead.
 
Grace Koehler boosted the Hawks advantage to 23 points with 1:40 remaining in the quarter following a made free throw to make the score, 49-26. The team maintained the 20-point cushion for the majority of the game to hold on for the eventual 15-point victory.
 
 
SUNY New Paltz shot nearly 42 percent from the field, while holding the Brewers to less than 33 percent from the floor which included 1-for-23 from 3-point range. The Hawks finished with 36 points in the paint and 19 points off turnovers, forcing the Brewers into 17 on the night.   
 
Freshman Kayden Cornell joined Fitzgerald and Perry as the only other Hawk in double figure scoring. The freshman registered a career-high 13 points in 25 minutes off the bench on 5-for-8 shooting with five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Freshman Deanna Barry added nine points off the bench with one rebound, one assist and two steals, while Macie Perry chipped in with seven points, six rebounds, one block and two steals.
 
The Hawks are back in the Hawk Center Saturday, hosting the Ithaca Bombers at 2 p.m.


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