Newburgh, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz opened up Day 1 of the annual Hudson Valley Tournament on the campus of Mount Saint Mary's College, tipping-off against Vassar (3-0 overall) Friday night.
 
The Hawks (1-3 overall) struggled offensively to start, making just eight baskets in the opening 20 minutes which played into a 23-point deficit at halftime. SUNY New Paltz adjusted in the second period, but it wasn't enough to overcome the hole and ultimately, they took a 77-56 loss against the Brewers to suffer its second straight defeat.
 
Vassar scored eight unanswered points to start the game, and it wasn't until Trevor Amalfitano laid in a bucket off a dish from Amir Hughes when the Hawks tallied their first basket of the game five minutes in. The Brewers answered with a 7-0 run that was broken up by Isaiah Rivera to cut the score, 18-5 with 12 minutes left.
 
Vassar ballooned its lead to as many as 25 following a triple with six minutes to go, as SUNY New Paltz connected on a lone basket through a six-minute stretch, which came on a made mid-ranged jumper from Mo Sylla. The Brewers responded with a quick two down at the other end and following a turnover, they hit again from 3-point range to establish a 25-point advantage at 36-11. Amir Hughes brought the difference under 20 with a make in the lane, but Vassar scored the last two baskets of the half to take a commanding 42-19 lead at the break.  
The Hawks saw more success in the second half and slowly trimmed the Brewers lead to 14 midway through the second half. Hughes swished on a 3-ball off an assist from Amalfitano to cut the score to 52-38, but the Brewers answered with a triple of their own on the ensuing possession. They kept SUNY New Paltz at arms-length the rest of the way, hovering around a 20-point advantage down the stretch to secure the 77-56 win.
 
The Hawks made just 8-for-30 from the floor in the first half, but shot better in the second, going 14-for-38 including 6-for-15 from beyond the arc as they finished the game shooting at a 32.4 percent clip. The difference was the play underneath the basket, as they got to the foul line just seven times (going 4-for-7 from the charity stripe) and scoring 26 points in the paint, versus 36 from Vassar with the Brewers also holding the advantage on the glass, 58-29, including 14-3 on the offensive boards.
 
Rivera finished as the team's leading scorer, registering 18 points on 8-for-14 shooting with 10 rebounds, an assist, block and a steal in 35 minutes to record his second double-double on the season. Sylla was the only other Hawk in double figures, ending with 14 points with four rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes.
 
SUNY New Paltz returns to the Hawk Center Saturday, hosting two games to close out the Hudson Valley Tournament. It will face Bard College at 6 p.m. after the Brewers face Mount Saint Mary's College at 4 p.m.
 
 
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