New Paltz Hawks Earn 69-56 Win Over Oneonta

By Monica D’Ippolito

ONEONTA — The State University of New York New Paltz picked up a 69-56 win on the road over Oneonta Saturday to stay unbeaten in SUNYAC play.

A 14-0 run to start the second quarter broke the game open for the Hawks (5-6 overall, 4-0 SUNYAC) who led by as many as 23 before a late comeback by the Red Dragons nearly pushed the win out of reach. SUNY New Paltz held on, however, getting timely buckets by Hannah Vanderzee, Abby Korzekwinski and Julia Sabatino in the final minutes to secure its second-straight victory.

Olivia Ventre aided in a 23-14 halftime lead for the Hawks, as the freshman shot 4-for-6 in a five-minute stretch in the second quarter to post 10 points off the bench. Vanderzee was the catalyst in extending the lead to 23, as she scored five of the eight unanswered points for SUNY New Paltz to end the second, as she earned an and-1 on a strong finish in the paint before getting her hands on a steal and then a score in the final minute of the half.

Oneonta out-scored the Hawks 21-8 in the third quarter and closed the gap to nine with about 90 seconds left in the period. Korzekwinski re-established a double-digit cushion, getting hit on her way up on a put-back and earning a trip to the foul line where she made 1-of-2 to give her team a 45-35 lead entering the fourth.

The Red Dragons continued sticking around, but SUNY New Paltz never relinquished control. A 3-pointer by the hosts tightened the score, 56-53 with about 4:30 left but Vanderzee answered with a finish in the paint. She stayed active defensively and grabbed another steal, which led to a basket by Korzekwinski as SUNY New Paltz created more of a cushion. With time ticking down, Oneonta slowed the game with fouls and put the Hawks on the line. Julia Sabatino was the benefactor, as she was clutch making all six attempts to put the game away.

Vanderzee led the way for SUNY New Paltz, as she matched a game-high 17 points on an efficient 8-for-12 shooting with three rebounds, three steals and an assist in 25 minutes. Sabatino followed with 14 points on 4-for-9 shooting from the floor in 35 minutes, while adding six boards, three steals and a team-leading four assists. Korzekwinski was two rebounds shy of a double-double, finishing with 10 points, eight rebounds and a steal in 34 minutes.