New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz took home a tough win over Postdam Friday night, defeating the Bears 89-79.
Sophomore guard
Trevor Amalfitano played a key role in the win, scoring a career-high 29 points with 19 in the first half alone. His performance helped the Hawks (7-9, 5-4 SUNYAC) get back above .500 in conference and handed Potsdam (1-14, 1-7 SUNYAC) its seventh straight SUNYAC loss.
SUNY New Paltz started off trailing to the visiting Bears, as Potsdam was able to get out to an 11-4 lead in the first five minutes of the half. However, the run was interrupted by Amalfitano, who scored a field goal in the paint before the Hawks called a timeout. Out of the break, the Bears responded with a made lay of their own, but Amalfitano struck again and drained a 3-pointer assisted by
Mo Sylla to cut the deficit to 13-9.
LaMar Matthews tied up the score for the Hawks in the seventh minute before Amalfitano regained the lead for SUNY New Paltz with two made free throws for a 15-13 advantage.
Potsdam continued to battle back and forth with the hosts, and the lead changed six times in the ensuing six minutes. Amalfitano came through again for the Hawks and scored six unanswered points to put the Hawks up 28-24 with just more than five minutes left in the half. From that point on, SUNY New Paltz did not relent the advantage for the remainder of the first, heading into halftime up 41-27.
Gallery: (1-23-2026) MBB vs Potsdam - Gail Comiskey
In the second, the Bears slowly but surely chipped away at the Hawks' lead. The visitors started the half down 14 points and eventually came within four with just more than five minutes left to play. But Potsdam could not get any closer, as Sylla drained a 3-pointer to put the Hawks back up 69-62. The Bears responded with a trey, but Sylla came in clutch again behind the arc, scoring another 3 to re-up SUNY New Paltz's lead.
Down in the final minutes of play, Potsdam had to strategically foul to try and get the ball back, but the Hawks stood solid at the line, going 9-for-13 from the charity stripe to clinch the win, 89-79.
Amalfitano led all scorers with 29 points and added three assists, two rebounds and a block to his stat line. Matthews followed with 17 points and seven boards while Sylla earned a double-double on the day with 15 points and a season-high eleven rebounds.
The Hawks are back in action tomorrow as they take on the Plattsburgh Cardinals at home. Game time is set for 4 p.m.
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