New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz earned a 65-54 win over visiting Buffalo State Friday night in the Hawk Center.
 
The victory brought the Hawks back into the win column after losing their last two to the two SUNYAC front runners in SUNY Cortland and Oswego State. SUNY New Paltz improved to 10-11 overall and 8-6 in conference play, while taking the series sweep over the Bengals who dropped to 7-12 and 3-9, respectively.
 
Although Buffalo State made the game interesting, keeping the score tight throughout the contest, the Hawks remained in control for the majority of the game off the opening tip. LaMar Matthews opened with a pull-up 3-pointer and hit again from behind the arc two possessions later to keep his team in front until the Bengals took their first lead of the game with about five minutes left. The advantage was quick lasting, as Oumar Sy brought the hosts back in front following a drive into the paint off an assist from Thomas Keane to bring the score to 24-23. The two teams traded the advantage one last time before Matthews and Joshua Lopez scored the final points of the half for the Hawks to push the lead to 29-25 at the break.
 
 
SUNY New Paltz never trailed in the second half and opened up the game a bit in the final 10 minutes. Matthews swished again from 3-point range and out of a timeout, hit again from distance to extend the advantage, 54-46 with seven minutes left. After the Bengals made their first basket to break up a three-minute drought, Andrew Leonard drained a triple to create a nine-point difference for the Hawks. Sy forced a turnover on a steal two minutes later, which turned into two points the other way before Isaiah Rivera gave SUNY New Paltz its largest lead at 61-48 on a make underneath with three minutes left.  
The Hawks held on from there with Justin Noelizaire sealing the victory, as he escaped in the front court for an easy two points with 30 seconds left to solidify the 11-point victory.

Matthews led all scorers, finishing with 24 points on 8-for-14 shooting, including 6-for-10 from 3-point range with nine rebounds, two assists and a steal in 40 minutes. Rivera followed with 19 points on 8-for-14 shooting with eight boards, one assist and a block in 32 minutes.
 
SUNY New Paltz is back in the Hawk Center Saturday, hosting Fredonia in its regular season home finale. It will honor two graduating seniors Matthews and Keane prior to tip-off, which is set for 4 p.m.


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