NEW PALTZ, NY – The State University of New York New Paltz men's basketball team opened its 2026-27 campaign on a winning note Friday evening, defeating visiting Brooklyn College, 79-73, inside the Hawk Center.
The Hawks (1-0) overcame a one-point halftime deficit and used timely perimeter shooting and defensive pressure to pull away from the Bulldogs (0-1) in the second half, securing their first victory of the season.
Making his debut in a Hawks uniform, Chris Whyte-Luciano wasted no time making his presence felt, erupting for a game-high 24 points on 7-for-13 shooting, including five makes from beyond the arc. Trevor Amalfitano added 11 points, while Isaiah Rivera contributed 10 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals in an all-around performance.
SUNY New Paltz wasted little time establishing its offense, as Whyte-Luciano knocked down a three-pointer just 19 seconds into the contest before converting a steal into a transition layup to give the hosts an early 5-0 advantage. Rivera followed with a fast-break finish, and Amalfitano connected from deep to extend the Hawks' lead to 10-3.
Brooklyn responded with a 12-0 run to take a 15-10 advantage, but Whyte-Luciano continued to provide an offensive spark, connecting on another triple before finishing inside to even the contest at 15.
The two sides traded momentum throughout the remainder of the opening period, with neither team able to establish lasting separation. A late layup from Kevin Kendall briefly pushed SUNY New Paltz ahead, 38-37, with 42 seconds remaining, but Brooklyn's Mohamed Kadel answered with a second-chance basket to send the Bulldogs into the break holding a narrow 39-38 advantage.
Brooklyn carried its momentum into the second half, stretching its lead to 46-40 following a three-pointer from D'Aze Hunter with 17:14 remaining. The Hawks responded behind George Patsalos, who converted a pair of free throws, and Amalfitano, who finished inside to trim the deficit to two.
The Bulldogs maintained their advantage until SUNY New Paltz began finding its rhythm from beyond the arc. Mike Miller knocked down a three-pointer to bring the Hawks within one, 50-49, before Justin Noelizaire finished inside to keep the hosts within striking distance.
Amalfitano delivered the go-ahead basket with 13:15 remaining, connecting from deep off a feed from Noelizaire to put SUNY New Paltz ahead, 54-52 as the Hawks would not trail again.
Noelizaire provided another spark off the bench, converting two free throws and finishing a layup off a Rivera assist to extend the advantage to 59-54 midway through the second half.
With Brooklyn continuing to threaten, Whyte-Luciano took control from the perimeter. The guard buried a three-pointer with 7:53 remaining to push the lead to eight, 64-56, before connecting again just over two minutes later to make it 67-59.
A pair of free throws from Whyte-Luciano extended the Hawks' advantage to double digits, 69-59, with 5:29 remaining. Patsalos later converted two more attempts at the line, while Rivera connected on a three-pointer to give SUNY New Paltz a 74-64 advantage with 4:36 left.
Brooklyn refused to go quietly, using a late push to cut the deficit to five following another Hunter triple with 2:29 remaining. However, the Hawks tightened up defensively down the stretch, with Patsalos and Rivera each coming away with crucial steals in the final two minutes.
Rivera added a free throw with 31 seconds remaining, and Whyte-Luciano calmly knocked down two more from the charity stripe with six seconds left to seal the 79-73 season-opening victory.
SUNY New Paltz finished shooting an efficient 53.1 percent from the floor, including 9-for-25 from three-point range, while forcing 24 Brooklyn turnovers and converting those opportunities into 27 points.
Amalfitano finished with 11 points and two assists, while Miller and Noelizaire each contributed nine points off the bench. Patsalos added six points, four rebounds, three assists and three blocks.
Hunter paced Brooklyn with 21 points, while Tajuan Thomas added 19 off the bench.
The Hawks return to action Saturday, Nov. 7, traveling to Eastern Connecticut State University for a 6 p.m. matchup against the Warriors.
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