The State University of New York at New Paltz extended its winning streak to five and closed out the weekend with a 66-46 win over visiting Morrisville Saturday to stay undefeated in the SUNYAC.
The Hawks (8-6 overall, 7-0 SUNYAC) forced the Mustangs (4-10, 1-6) into 26 turnovers, which translated into 22 points for the hosts as they also dominated under the hoop with 30 points in the paint and out-rebounding Morrisville, 40-32 in the game, including 16-1 on the offensive glass.
The offense was spread around for SUNY New Paltz with 10 different players registering at least a basket. Sophia Bonnell was the leading scorer with 11 points to go along with two rebounds, two assists and a steal. Julia Sabatino followed with 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a team-leading four steals. Hannah Vanderezee and Abby Korzekwinski each had eight points apiece, with Vanderzee also registering four steals with four rebounds, an assist and a block, while Korzekwinski added eight boards and three steals.
Sierra Carter had a career-high in both rebounds (8) and assists (5) for the Hawks, while recording seven points and a steal.
Morrisville tied the score at 16-all with two minutes left in the first quarter before Carter pulled down an offensive board and got her put-back to go to give her team a two-point lead entering the second.
SUNY New Paltz started building a cushion in the second quarter. Vanderzee pushed the advantage to nine on a pair of made free throws halfway through the period and after the Mustangs brought the difference back down to four, the Hawks re-established their nine-point lead following a block by Karly Wittenbauer, which led to a 3-pointer by Bonnell. Wittenbauer then connected in the lane next time down the floor to up the advantage, 32-23 with two minutes to play.
Morrisville ended the half with a traditional 3-point play, as Kieonna Christmas finished at the rim and earned the foul for the Mustangs and after swishing on the ensuing foul shot cut the score, 32-26 entering the second half.Morrisville made just two baskets in the third quarter on nine attempts, totaling six points as it had trouble handing SUNY New Paltz’s pressure. The Hawks took advantage and created an 18-point cushion with a 12-2 run to start the third, capped by a made triple from Carter on a find by Madison Mullman with five minutes to go in the period.
After the Mustangs broke up the stretch with a make in the paint two minutes later, Vanderzee went coast-to-coast garnering a steal and an easy two in transition to bring the lead to 16. Bonnell added two more to the advantage, earning a trip to the line where she made both to create a 48-30 score with a minute left.
SUNY New Paltz’s largest lead was 20, which came on a steal and finish on the break by freshman Grace Koehler which marked her first points of her collegiate career. The Highland, NY native doubled down a minute later, as she attacked the hoop and finished at the rim for two more to re-up the Hawks’ 20-point cushion with about 1:12 remaining.
Morgan Hammell officially closed out the 66-46 win, swishing from the perimeter off an assist by Kamryn Hoyt on the hosts final possession of the game.
SUNY New Paltz remains atop the conference standings as the only no-loss team remaining in SUNYAC play. It starts on the conclusion of its home-and-home league scheduled, starting with a second meeting against SUNY Canton Tuesday in the Hawk Center. The Hawks defeated the Kangaroos less than a week ago, 89-79. Tip-off Tuesday is set for 5:30 p.m.
