New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz lost 81-57 against visiting Plattsburgh Friday night in the Hawk Center.
 
The Hawks dropped to 14-7 overall and 10-4 in the SUNYAC, while the Cardinals improved to 11-9 and 8-5, respectively, following Friday's result.
 
SUNY New Paltz, without starting forward Dakoda Smith, struggled to find its shooting touch against Plattsburgh who had won the first matchup in the North Country, 83-78. The Hawks made just 33 percent from the field and connected on 6-for-30 from 3-point range while also struggling from the foul line, making 13-for-22.
 
Meanwhile, the Cardinals shot 60 percent from the field with the majority of their points coming from the paint, scoring 56 underneath the basket.
 
SUNY New Paltz made eight shots in the first half and went into the break trailing by 12. It overcame an initial 10-point deficit with an 11-0 run that was capped by a Mitchell Cumings bucket in the paint with about 12 minutes to go, but Plattsburgh countered with seven straight points to re-take the lead and it never trailed the rest of the way.
 
Sean St. Lucia broke up the run after making two from the foul line. Lucas Seyoum worked his way through the paint to land on the foul line as well a minute later. He made both and trimmed the difference to two at 24-22 with five minutes left in the half.
 
 
Plattsburgh built an 11-point lead in the following three minutes, led by Kareem Welch who scored seven points in the stretch. He finished with a game-high 18 points off the bench, mirroring his performance against the Hawks in the first go around where he ended with a game-high 19 points in the same role.
 
Lucas Seyoum swished from 3-point range to end the unanswered stretch for SUNY New Paltz with Isaiah Rivera picking up the assist on the play, but the Cardinals scored on their last two possessions and went into halftime up, 37-25.
 
Plattsburgh built a 20-point lead five minutes into the second half and the Hawks never recovered and saw the deficit balloon to as many as 29 down the stretch with the Cardinals pacing out the win and the series sweep.
 
SUNY New Paltz's starters accounted for 20 points on six made baskets. Trevor Amalfitano finished with 12 points in 22 minutes to lead the team offensively, while adding a rebound, an assist and two blocks off the bench. Cumings was the only other Hawk in double-digit points, finishing with 10 points, three rebounds and an assist in 19 minutes off the bench.
 
The Hawks look to bounce back Saturday, as they head back into the Hawk Center to face the visiting Potsdam Bears at 4 p.m.


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