Morrisville, NY — In another close battle, the State University of New York New Paltz prevailed over Morrisville Friday, as the Hawks defeated the Mustangs, 68-64.

Similarly to their previous meeting, SUNY New Paltz and Morrisville were neck and neck throughout the game, especially in the final few minutes. Despite earning a 15-point lead in the first half, the Hawks had the Mustangs creep back late in the second, but the visitors held on to earn the slight four-point win. 

Notably, SUNY New Paltz outshot Morrisville from the line, going 70 percent compared to the Mustangs 27.8 percent. The Hawks were also successful from the field, going 47.9 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from beyond the arc, compared to the hosts' 42.2 and 27.8 percent. 

Morrisville opened the match with the first points but was quickly followed by Sean St. Lucia who tied the early lead with a made jumper. The Mustangs reupped their lead, but A.J Knight responded with a three assisted by St. Lucia, which put the Hawks up 5-4. The three pushed SUNY New Paltz on a scoring run as it quickly shot up to a 10-4 lead — a five-point unanswered run. 

The Hawks continued to succeed offensively, eventually holding an 18-6 advantage over the hosts. However, down 12 points, Morrisville rallied back in an unanswered eight-point run until Isaiah Rivera earned an and-1 opportunity with under ten minutes remaining in the first. Rivera sank the free throw to swing the momentum back in the Hawks' favor before Mitchell Cummings earned a trip to the line himself. The senior went one for two to up SUNY New Paltz's lead to 22-14.

Following a two minute scoring drought, the Mustangs drained a three to shorten the deficit to five points. Sean St. Lucia answered back and put in a jumper before Lucas Seyoum drained a three, the duo upping the Hawks to a ten-point lead, 27-17. 

SUNY New Paltz saw their largest lead in the game with under two minutes left when Rivera layed in a made basket off a dish from Dakoda Smith to put the Hawks up 35-20. Morrisville scored twice more before the end of the half, and Knight beat the buzzer with a made field goal, both teams heading into the locker room with a 37-24 score. 

The Mustangs were first on the board in the second with a made jumper as they continued to outscore the Hawks 13-5 in the first five minutes of the half. Morrisville inched their way toward SUNY New Paltz, and a made free throw from the Mustangs with 12:34 left in the game tied the score up 42-42. Cummings gave the Hawks back the lead with two made free throws, which was succeeded by a clutch three from senior Alex Krupinski, elevating SUNY New Paltz to a 47-42 advantage. 

With just over eight minutes remaining, the Mustangs tied the Hawks once again with a foul shot, but could not regain the lead as Rivera scored another made layup. Ethan St. Lucia continued the efforts with a drained trey assisted by Smith, extending SUNY New Paltz's lead to five. 

Morrisville attempted to rally, but the Hawks stayed ahead for the last seven minutes of play. Eventually, the hosts gave SUNY New Paltz multiple trips to the line in an attempt to regain possession, but the Hawks did not falter in the final minutes. Sean St. Lucia iced the last two points for SUNY New Paltz at the line, and despite the Mustangs last ditch effort three-pointer in the last seconds of play, the Hawks came out on top.

Knight led the Hawks in scoring with 17 points, the same amount he scored against the Mustangs in the season's earlier matchup. Sean St. Lucia and Krupinski tallied 11 and 10 points, respectfully, with St. Lucia adding four rebounds and three assists.

The Hawks continue SUNYAC play throughout the weekend, facing off against the Cortland Red Dragons Saturday. Tip-off is at 4 p.m. 

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