Potsdam NY — The State University of New York New Paltz closed out the regular season with its 15th straight win following a 68-48 road victory over Potsdam Saturday.
 
The Hawks were without starting forward Karly Wittenbauer for the game due to injury with freshman Kayden Cornell stepping into the lineup for her second career start as she played a career-high 40 minutes. Hannah Vandzeree, however, carried the load offensively as she scored a season-high 21 points on a season-high 10 made field goals on a career-high 21 attempts, while also setting career highs in blocks (5) and steals (5), while notching her third double-double of the year with a game-high 11 rebounds, while adding three assists.
 
Brianna Fitzgerald followed offensively, as she once again flirted with a triple double after finishing with 14 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals in 32 minutes. Cornell was the only other Hawk in double-figure points, totaling 10 with six boards and a steal.
 
SUNY New Paltz was efficient offensively in the first half, shooting nearly 44 percent on 7-for-16 from the field in the first quarter before connecting on 50 percent in the second on 6-for-12 shooting. The Hawks only trailed for an about 30-second stretch midway through the first quarter but began rolling toward the end of the half with Fitzgerald connecting on a pair of free throws to give her team an 11-point advantage at the break.  
The Bears were limited to three made baskets and seven points in the third, which allowed SUNY New Paltz to build a comfortable margin. Sierra Carter connected from 3-point range following an offensive board to push the Hawks in front, 43-29 early in the third. Cornell then took advantage of a block by Macie Perry on the defensive end with a swish from the perimeter down at the offensive end to extend the lead to 16 three minutes later. Fitzgerald gave her team their first 20-point cushion after hitting in the paint off a dish from Vanderzee and SUNY New Paltz sustained momentum from there as they entered the fourth up 21.
 
The Hawks led by as many as 25 thanks to a make on a jumper from Summer Perry with six minutes to go and finished the game on a triple from Deanna Berry in the final two minutes to solidify the 68-48 score.
 
SUNY New Paltz concludes the regular season at 23-2 overall and 17-1 in the SUNYAC and depending on how the NPI standings shake out Monday could also snag the top seed in the SUNYAC Tournament next weekend.
 
Regardless, the Hawks will take a bye into the semifinal round for the sixth-straight year, which begins at the highest team's home floor Friday.
 

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