New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz suffered an 87-58 loss to visiting Oswego Tuesday night in the Hawk Center.
 
The Hawks (2-7 overall, 0-2 SUNYAC) were within eight early in the second half but couldn't keep up with the Lakers offensively and compiled with early foul trouble, it allowed Oswego to build a comfortable double-digit cushion down the stretch to come away with the victory and improve its record to 8-2 and 2-1, respectively.
 
Mo Sylla worked his way through the paint to get to the foul line where he made 1-of-2 for SUNY New Paltz to cut the Lakers lead down to 51-42 five minutes into the second half, but the Lakers got their 3-point shooting going, as a triple ignited a 10-2 run in the following three minutes to cushion the lead to 16. A personal foul on Isaiah Rivera was compiled with a technical foul called, which gave Oswego four free throws where they made 3-of-4.
 
Amir Hughes connected in the paint to cut through the stretch, but momentum continued staying on the Lakers side with the Hawks suffering three-straight turnovers which turned into points the other way. LaMar Matthews forced a turnover of his own for SUNY New Paltz, getting his hands on a steal that resulted in a fast-break bucket by Sylla to recreate a 16-point deficit with nine minutes left. Matthews came through again with a put-back on the next offensive set to trim the difference to 14, but Oswego continued getting to the foul line with the Hawks in the bonus as they quickly ballooned its lead to 20, which it sustained down the stretch.
 
The Lakers out-rebounded SUNY New Paltz, 40-29, including 12-2 on the offensive glass, while connecting on 12-for-33 from 3-point range with the Hawks hitting 5-for-20 from the perimeter. The visitors also hit 19-for-25 from the foul line with the hosts going 7-for-12 from the charity stripe.

Seniors Matthews and Thomas Keane were the only players for SUNY New Paltz in double-digit scoring, finishing with 14 and 11 points respectively. Matthews shot 7-for-14 from the field in 33 minutes, while adding a team-leading nine rebounds with one assist and a steal, while Keane went 4-for-9 in 30 minutes with five rebounds and one assist.
 
SUNY New Paltz returns to SUNYAC action this weekend, going on the road to face SUNY Cortland and SUNY Morrisville Friday and Saturday, respectively.


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