New York, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz suffered its first loss of the season Saturday, falling 99-37 against No. 1 nationally ranked and defending national champions New York University at John A. Paulson Center.
 
The Hawks (3-1 overall) registered a season-high 40 turnovers and made just 12-for-51 from the floor, including 4-for-19 from 3-point range with the Violets also holding the advantage on the glass, 58-36, including 24-9 on the offensive end.  
 
SUNY New Paltz never led in the game, but the Hawks kept the score within two-possessions through the opening seven minutes, as Karly Wittenbauer and Brianna Fitzgerald made back-to-back baskets to cut the score, 13-9 with less than four minutes to go in the first quarter. NYU answered with a 7-0 run at the end of the period, which bled into the second that built into a 16-0 stretch for the Violets. Wittenbauer put an end to the unanswered run with a good bucket underneath, but NYU answered with a quick six-point swing on consecutive triples to balloon the advantage to 22 and the hosts rolled from there, as it went into the half with a 35-point cushion.
 
Fitzgerald led the team with 13 points and eight rebounds with three steals in 24 minutes. Sierra Carter followed with eight points in 27 minutes, adding two rebounds, three assists and one steal.
 
SUNY New Paltz is back in action Tuesday, going on the road to face Mount Saint Vincent at 6 p.m.


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