NEW PALTZ, N.Y.— Buffalo State could not overcome a strong shooting New Paltz team as the Hawks finished 54.7 percent from the floor and defeated the Bengals 81-77 in a conference matchup on Saturday afternoon.
THE BASICSFINAL SCORE: New Paltz 81, Buffalo State 77
LOCATION: Hawk Center – New Paltz, NY
RECORDS: Buffalo State (11-6, 5-5 SUNYAC), New Paltz (2-12, 1-7 SUNYAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED- The opening minutes of the game saw a lot of back-and-forth action, with neither team gaining a large momentum.
- Buffalo State managed to take a five point lead, 18-13, off a 3-pointer from Kevin Marmolejos (Woodhaven/Beach Channel) at 12:21, but New Paltz tied things back up, 20-20, midway through the first half.
- The Hawks maintained the lead until Jordan Glover (Buffalo/St. Joe's) hit a last second shot to send the teams into halftime tied, 36-36.
- A 5-0 run to open the second half put the Bengals back on top 41-36 at 18:57.
- Buffalo State stayed ahead until 8:57 when a 3-point play from New Paltz gave the Hawks back the lead, which they would not relinquish.
- The Bengals did manage to tie the game back up, 73-73, with 1:36 remaining, but strong free throw shooting from New Paltz in the closing minute helped the Hawks seal their first SUNYAC win of the season.
- Mike Henry (Syracuse/W. Genesee) and Nico McLean (Buffalo/Amherst) led the Buffalo State offense with 13 points apiece. Marmolejos added 12 points, while Leon Moise (Brooklyn/Thomas Jefferson) chipped in 10 points.
- The Bengals finished the game shooting 43.1 percent from the floor, 26.7 percent from long range and 67.6 percent from the free throw line.
FOR THE FOES- Andrew Seniuk led the Hawks with 24 points, while Nick Paquette added 16 points and Brandon Guest chipped in 11 points.
- New Paltz finished the game shooting 54.7 percent from the floor, 50 percent from long range and 56.7 percent from the free throw line.
UP NEXTBuffalo State will return to action at home on Friday for a 7:30 p.m. conference matchup against Plattsburgh.
