New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz earned a 57-50 victory over Plattsburgh Friday night to win its second straight.
The Hawks took a 14-11 lead into the second quarter after ending the period on an 8-0 run. They never trailed the rest of the way, as they held off the Cardinals who kept the game close but could never fully get in control.
Julia Sabatino hustled to keep the ball in bounds off a loose ball leading to a steal that quickly transitioned into a swish from 3-point range by
Madison Mullman to create a six-point difference midway through the second quarter.
Plattsburgh cut into the lead with a trip to the foul line, but
Sierra Carter countered, earning two from the line herself as she got hit on her way to the hoop next time down the floor to re-up the six-point difference. Following a put-back by the Cardinals two possessions later, a steal by
Sophia Bonnell led to a fast-break bucket by Sabatino to push the hosts up, 27-21 with about two minutes left. Plattsburgh registered the last points of the half though, scoring on a Jaden Wilson basket in the paint with nearly 90 seconds left that created a four-point difference at the break.
The Cardinals got within a basket twice in the third after Sabatino created a nine-point cushion on a 3-pointer to start the period. Sabatino capitalized off a Plattsburgh turnover with four minutes left, earning a trip to the foul line where she made both to establish a five-point lead after Plattsburgh cut the deficit to three. Bonnell hit on a trey after Imani Walcott got her attempt to go underneath for the Cardinals with 1:25 left, lifting the Hawks lead to five entering the fourth.
Gallery: (2-7-2025) Women's Basketball vs Plattsburgh
SUNY New Paltz saw its largest lead at 10 come in the fourth quarter, first off a triple by
Caitlin Mullen off a find by Sabatino and then again a minute later on a make by Vanderzee with Sabatino there for the dish once again. The Cardinals fought to trim the deficit to three with 3:30 to go, but a turnover led to a Sabatino finish at the hoop next time down the floor with Abby Korzekewinski adding to the lead with a pair of made free throws following an offensive rebound that led to her trip to the line.
The Hawks held the Cardinals without a basket for a near four-minute span in the fourth and with Plattsburgh down seven with less than a minute left, it was forced to foul to slow the game down. Bonnell and Korzekwinski made 4-of-4 down the stretch to re-establish a 10-point lead with Mullen adding another in the last 20 seconds to build an 11-point cushion to seal the win for SUNY New Paltz.
Vanderzee led all scorers with 14 points in 21 minutes, shooting 7-for-18 with seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. Carter and Sabatino each had nine points, seven rebounds and two assists with Sabatino adding three steals. Korzekwinski added seven points, nine rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal.
The Hawks improved to 13-8 overall and 12-2 in the SUNYAC as they head into another SUNYAC matchup Saturday against Potsdam. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. in the Hawk Center.
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