Canton, NY — In its second meeting with the SUNY Canton this season, the State University of New York at New Paltz routed the hosting Roos 83-62.

Despite a close first quarter, the Hawks (13-2, 7-1 SUNYAC) increased their offensive production every period and slowly but surely pulled away from the Roos (12-3, 5-3 SUNYAC), who were coming off a major upset over Oswego on the road last week. Overall, SUNY New Paltz shot efficiently, going 52.4 percent from the field and 53.3 from 3-point range, compared to SUNY Canton's 41.1 and 46.2 percent shooting, respectively. 

The Hawks were first to get on the board with a made jumper by Hannah Vanderzee in the first minute of play. Brianna Fitzgerald followed up with two straight field goals before SUNY Canton got its first points of the game in the third minute of action, with SUNY New Paltz holding an early 6-2 lead. 

Halfway through the quarter, the momentum swung in the Roos' favor, who quickly escaped a 10-4 deficit with a made 3-pointer in the fifth minute before coming away with a forced turnover at midcourt to a breakaway layup, shortening the gap to 10-9. 

But the Hawks were able to answer back with Karly Wittenbauer collecting the rebound off a missed 3 and putting it back in to re-up SUNY New Paltz's lead. The positive energy continued to work in the Hawks' favor who forced two straight turnovers from the Roos. Sierra Carter soon added to the lead with a made free throw followed by Summer Perry who drained a long triple. The team effort gave SUNY New Paltz a 16-9 lead, an advantage they held until the end of the quarter.
The Hawks struck first in the second as well with Fitzgerald netting two from the line in the second minute. The Roos responded with four unanswered points, but were interrupted by Macie Perry who scored in the paint for a 20-13 Hawks lead. 

SUNY New Paltz continued to hold the advantage, but SUNY Canton began to fight back near the end of the half. The hosts went on a 10 point unanswered run to close the gap to one point once again, 29-28. The tear was interrupted by Wittenbauer, who drained a jumper from the field. Macie Perry added on with a made free throw followed by a jumper by Fitzgerald before the buzzer sounded for the half, and the teams entered break with SUNY New Paltz up 34-28. 

Vanderzee lit a fire for the Hawks at the start of the third, immediately profiting off a fast break opportunity for a made layup. SUNY New Paltz continued to outpace the Roos, never letting the hosts get closer than seven points to the Hawks' lead. By the end of the third, SUNY New Paltz outlasted the Roos' attempts at a comeback, holding a 55-44 lead. 

However, the fourth quarter would prove to be the most prolific for the Hawks.

Wittenbauer immediately earned a trip to the line in the first minute of the quarter and drained both free throws. The following possession, Wittenbauer drained a 3 to elevate SUNY New Paltz's lead to 60-44. SUNY Canton answered back with a made lay, which Vanderzee countered with a jumper of her own. Again, the Roos responded with a made trey, but Wittenbauer profited from the field once again and made a jumper off an assist by Vanderzee. Between the duo, Wittenbauer and Vanderzee accounted for 17 of the Hawks 27 points in the fourth.

In the final minutes of the game, SUNY New Paltz spread the scoring wealth with Deanna Barry and Grace Koehler coming off the bench to swish two straight 3's to end the quarter. The Hawks outscored the Roos 28-18 in the fourth alone, earning them the over 20-point win, 83-62.

Wittenbauer led all-scorers with a career-high 22 points, along with eight rebounds, three assists and a game-high six steals, also a career-high stat for the senior. Vanderzee followed with a season-high 19 points while dishing out five assists. Fitzgerald tacked on 14 points and 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the year, while Sierra Carter added on 12 points and five rebounds. 

The Hawks return to the nest Friday to take on the Potsdam Bears. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. 

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