New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz won its third straight game Friday night following an 83-78 victory over visiting Morrisville in the Hawk Center.
 
The Hawks got back to .500 with the victory, improving to 9-9 overall while boosting their SUNYAC record to 7-4 after securing the series sweep of the Mustangs (6-12, 5-6).
 
SUNY New Paltz shot efficiently in the first half, making 16-for-33 from the floor for nearly 50 percent as it entered halftime with a 46-37 lead. The hosts never trailed at any point in the game and took its largest lead at 17 following a 16-0 run in a four-minute span in the first half. Trevor Amalfitano capped the stretch, as he earned a trip to the foul line and made both to extend the lead to 43-26 with three minutes left in the first half.
 
Morrisville fought back to get within single digits at the break, earning a steal before hitting from 3-point range with two minutes left. It then forced another Hawks turnover on a steal, which turned into a three-point swing following another make from the perimeter on the ensuing offensive possession. The Mustangs had the final points of the period, cutting into the lane and getting a basket to go to trim the difference to 46-37 at halftime.
 
SUNY New Paltz established a 20-point cushion in the second half, as Justin Noelizaire brought the hosts its largest lead of 23 following a make underneath off a slick feed from Amalfitano with 13 minutes to go in the period. The Mustangs continued working back in the game and made a rally in the final five minutes.
 
Isaiah Rivera connected in the paint on a tough finish, but Morrisville answered on the other end. LaMar Matthews ignited the crowd and home bench with a dunk off an assist from Noelizaire, but the Mustangs answered with a 3-pointer on the other end that resulted in a Hawks timeout.
 
A physical game down the stretch, Mo Sylla was given a technical after he and Morrisville's Bruce Wingate got tangled up on a loose ball with Wingate also getting called for a personal foul on the play. The tech revived the visitors' chances, as they connected on both free throws and then swished on a 3-pointer next time down the floor to trim the difference to 10 with about 70 seconds remaining.
 
Morrisville got as close as five with 11 seconds left, but the Hawks held on by keeping the Mustangs without a shot until the final seconds to hold onto the win.
 
Amalfitano led his team with 22 points, shooting 5-for-12 from the field and 11-for-14 from the foul line, while adding five rebounds, an assist and a steal. Matthews followed with 17 points and 11 rebounds, recording his fourth double-double of the year, while adding an assist and a steal. Rivera tallied 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Sylla registered 12 points, 11 rebounds for his third double-double on the year with two assists and two steals.  
 
SUNY New Paltz returns to the Hawk Center Saturday afternoon to host SUNY Cortland for a 4 p.m. tip.
 

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