In the teams’ second matchup of the season, the State University of New York at New Paltz fell to the SUNY Canton Kangaroos, 98-91 Tuesday night in the Hawk Center. After an early second-half effort propelled them into the lead, the Roos outlasted the Hawks in the high-scoring contest.
SUNY New Paltz concluded its two-game series against Canton after previously defeating the Roos 76-66 Jan. 14. Despite multiple 20-point efforts from the Hawks, they could not overcome Canton’s finishing abilities. The Roos shot 58.6 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from 3, compared to the Hawks’ 44.4 percent and 32.4 percent, respectively.
In his third game back from injury, Sean St. Lucia got on the scoreboard early, accounting for nine of his team’s first 11 points. However, Canton responded to SUNY New Paltz’s efficient scoring with buckets of its own. Both squads were neck and neck throughout the first half until the Roos began to pull away midway through the period.
Following a tied 19-19 score with 10 minutes remaining, Canton chipped at the Hawks’ momentum and began to score more efficiently than the hosts. The Roos took the lead at 26-21 following a made trey from Malaki Smith, and the visitors would not trail until the final minutes of the half.
With just more than three minutes remaining, Dakoda Smith put back a tough layup in the paint to tie up the score 42-42, followed by a clutch three from A.J. Knight to give SUNY New Paltz its first lead since midway through the half. Canton responded with a bucket, which Smith followed up with another layup to for a Hawks’ lead, 47-44.
However, a made 3 from the Roos tied it up 47-47, and two drained free throws put them back in front, the buzzer sounding at the half with a 49-47 lead for Canton.
The Roos were not slowed heading into the second and immediately ran off on an 11-point run to elevate their lead to 60-49. Despite Canton’s momentous efforts, the Hawks were not yet silenced. Slowly but surely, SUNY New Paltz shortened the margin, and a clutch 3 by Lucas Seyoum brought the hosts within four before Smith followed with a made lay in the paint for a 64-62 score.
Knight earned two consecutive trips to the line minutes later, sinking all four free throws to give SUNY New Paltz a 69-68 lead. Canton finished a layup to take back the advantage, but Knight came up clutch once again. The graduate guard regained possession on the floor, got to his feet, and fired a 3 up – and in. The make put the Hawks back into the lead at 72-70.
SUNY New Paltz tried to keep the advantage over the Roos, but Canton fought back, eventually scoring seven straight to lead SUNY New Paltz. 84-77, with less than five minutes left in the contest. The Roos held on for the remaining time and swished two free throws in the final seconds, ending the match victorious, 98-91.
Knight led the Hawks with a season-high 27 points with three rebounds, two steals and one block. Smith secured his season-high of 22 points for SUNY New Paltz and a team-high 10 rebounds and four steals. St. Lucia finished with 16 points, while freshman Isaiah Rivera scored six and brought down nine rebounds.
SUNY New Paltz will go on the road to face the Potsdam Bears on Jan 24. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.
