By Monica D’Ippolito
NEW PALTZ – The State University of New York New Paltz outlasted a tough Fredonia team Saturday in the Hawks’ regular season finale in the Hawk Center where they celebrated lone senior Karly Wittenbauer and graduate student Brianna Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald was the catalyst in the game, scoring a game-high 22 points including the go-ahead basket in the final minute to push SUNY New Paltz to the eventual, 57-53 win.
The Hawks (20-2 overall, 14-1 SUNYAC) overcame a 16 percent shooting first quarter where they made just 3-for-18 before upping their shooting percentage to 25 percent in the second, buoyed by their offensive rebounding and 3-point shooting from freshman Kayden Cornell. The Blue Devils (11-9, 6-7) came out hot and led by as many as 12 in the first quarter with Fitzgerald bringing the difference down to 10 on made basket in the final seconds to create a 20-10 score entering the second with Cornell playing big minutes in the following period.
Cornell checked in and connected on a 3-pointer to give SUNY New Paltz momentum. The hosts turned Fredonia over on a bad pass in transition on the ensuing possession with Sierra Carter picking up the steal and Fitzgerald turning the opportunity into points as she finished on a finger roll at the rim to cut the score 20-15 with seven minutes to go in the half. Macie Perry then helped the Hawks within two with a great defensive play on the perimeter, using her length to swat down a pass before grabbing the loose ball and having the wherewithal to find Hannah Vanderzee down the floor who earned a trip to the foul line on the drive to the hoop.
Following the points from the charity stripe, the Hawks defense tightened on the press and forced a 10-second backcourt violation for a second consecutive Blue Devils turnover, leading to more points from Cornell as she swished again from 3-point range to give her team their first lead of the day at 25-24. Fredonia had the last say of the half, however, as it connected from behind the arc to re-up its advantage to 29-25.
Cornell pushed her team back in front to start the third quarter with another make from distance, hitting on a catch and swish off a dish from Vanderzee. SUNY New Paltz never trailed from that point forward with the Hawks defense anchoring down to stay in control.
The Blue Devils tied the score at 32-all, but Vanderzee helped swing momentum one last time toward the hosts, stepping in to take a charge to force a turnover, which led to points on the other end as Wittenbauer was sent to the foul line with the visitors in the bonus. The senior hit on both attempts to slide the Hawks in front with Perry forcing another turnover on a steal, leading to a 3-pointer from sister, Summer, to create a five-point cushion.
Fredonia tied the score at 47-all midway through the fourth, but Wittenbauer answered with a bucket in the paint on the ensuing offensive possession for SUNY New Paltz before Fitzgerald forced a turnover with a steal and transition lay to create a four-point advantage. The Blue Devils tied the score one last time at 53 with two minutes to go, but again it was the two-time All-American in Fitzgerald who put the game on her shoulders, working inside and muscling two more points for the go-ahead score with less than a minute remaining.
Fredonia had a chance to tie once more but decided to go at Fitzgerald who played standup defense, forcing a bad shot before going up for a block on the second attempt with Vanderzee picking up the rebound, forcing the Blue Devils to intentionally foul to stop the clock. Fitzgerald then iced the game after a second foul to get into the bonus, sinking both free throws to cement the win.
