Morrisville, NY — It was a battle from the beginning for the State University of New York at New Paltz against the Morrisville Mustangs on Saturday. In the end, the Hawks came out on top, defeating the Mustangs 77-71.

SUNY New Paltz (3-8, 1-3 SUNYAC) broke its five-game losing streak in its victory over Morrisville (3-9, 2-3 SUNYAC). The return of standout sophomore Isaiah Rivera to the starting lineup greatly benefited the Hawks' game, as Rivera led the team in scoring with a career-high 27 points along with 9 rebounds, four steals and three assists. 

The Hawks entered the game energized and were the first to score, with Rivera earning an easy layup off an assist by Thomas Keane. Right after, Keane took it himself and made a tough lay to elevate SUNY New Paltz to a 4-0 start. 

Morrisville posted its first points two minutes into the contest, and took over the lead a minute later, nailing an uncontested three to go up 5-4. The Mustangs went on to score four more unanswered points before SUNY New Paltz called a timeout, down 9-4. 

Out of the break, LaMar Matthews netted a hook shot and less than a minute later the senior scored again to bring SUNY New Paltz within one. The Hawks' subsequent defensive efforts forced a shot-clock violation by the Mustangs and gave SUNY New Paltz back possession. However, Morrisville forced a turnover and scored again, reupping its lead to 11-8. Two free throws from the Mustangs continued their scoring streak, but Andrew Leonard interrupted the run when the freshman swished a corner three to tie up the score 13-13. 

After trading scoring possessions, Morrisville benefited from two straight midcourt errors by the Hawks and scored two uncontested layups before SUNY New Paltz called a timeout, down 20-16. 

The Mustangs continued to outscore the Hawks, and with under five minutes left in the half, Morrisville nailed a contested dagger for a 33-27 lead. Efforts by Leonard and Rivera kept the Mustangs from running away with the lead, as the duo scored 8 of the Hawks' last 14 points, ending the half trailing Morrisville by only four points, 34-38. 

SUNY New Paltz was the first to score in the half thanks to a 3-pointer from Mo Sylla, but the Mustangs responded immediately with a made field goal to go back up 40-37. 

Following a back-and-forth battle in the mid-court, SUNY New Paltzegained the lead five minutes into the half as a pump fake lay by Keane put the Hawks up 46-44. Morrisville answered with a 3 to regain the lead, but SUNY New Paltz did not let up, with eight lead changes occurring in the second half alone. 

A heavily contested clutch basket by Rivera evened the score again at 53-53, but the Mustangs regained the advantage with two made free throws and a layup for five unanswered points before a field goal from Amir Hughes ended the short run. 

Following a three from Rivera, Hughes came up big with another field goal to give the Hawks a three-point lead before the Mustangs stepped out of bounds on the other end, giving SUNY New Paltz back possession. In the same minute, Rivera finished on two free throws to extend the Hawks' lead to 62-57.

After that, it was all time management for the Hawks. 

With every possession, SUNY New Paltz wasted the shot clock until its final seconds. With just over two minutes remaining and the ball in Morrisville's hands, Matthews came up with a block to regain possession, translating into a basket from Rivera for a 73-67 SUNY New Paltz lead, its then largest advantage of the half. 

The Hawks never relinquished the lead, and Keane rounded out the win with three made free throws as the Mustangs resorted to fouling to try and regain possession. SUNY New Paltz came out of the nail-biting game victorious, winning 77-71. 

Rivera led with a season-high 27 points, followed by Matthews, who posted 14 points along with six rebounds. Leonard had a career day, with the freshman earning 10 points and five rebounds in 17 minutes played. Trevor Amalfitano made key contributions on the floor as well, dishing out seven assists with eight rebounds and nine points scored.  

SUNY New Paltz heads back to the Hawk Center for its next contest on Jan 13 against the SUNY Canton Roos. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. 

********************
To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow us on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.