NEW PALTZ, N.Y.— The Buffalo State women's basketball team was cold from the field in their return to action, falling to defending SUNYAC champions New Paltz by a 60-35 margin Thursday afternoon.
GAME BASICS
FINAL SCORE: New Paltz– 60, Buffalo State – 35
LOCATION: Hawk Center – New Paltz, N.Y.
RECORDS: Buffalo State (5-5, 2-2 SUNYAC), New Paltz (8-3, 4-1)
INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE
- Katie Villarini (Hamburg, NY/Hamburg) led all scorers with 18 points, adding eight rebounds. She was the only Bengal in double figures.
- Tashawni Cornfield (Gowanda, NY/Putham) tallied five rebounds and four steals on the defensive end.
- The Bengals shot a season-low 25.9 percent (14-of-54) from the field in the contest.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Bengals' only lead of the game came early, as a Villarini 3-point play and a Brianna Smith (Oakfield, NY/Oakfield) layup gave the visitors a 5-4 advantage.
- A 16-4 run by the Hawks gave the hosts a 20-9 lead after one.
- New Paltz slowly worked at extending its advantage, leading by as many as 15 points (31-16).
- A late 3-pointer by Riley Domin (Getzville, N.Y./Williamsville South) reduced the deficit a bit, as the Bengals trailed 31-19 heading into halftime.
- New Paltz started the third with six consecutive points, as Maddie Gillis played a hand with a pair of assists and two made free throws.
- Down 18, Josette Fleming (Clarence, NY/Clarence) and Heaven Rollek (Springville, NY/Springville-Griffith) scored five consecutive points for the Bengals, leading a quarter-ending 7-2 run.
- New Paltz held Buffalo State in check in the final quarter, as the Bengals went 2-of-10 from the field.
FOR THE FOES
- Brianna Fitzgerald led the Hawks with 12 points and three steals.
- Gillis finished with 10 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
- New Paltz shot 32.8 percent (22-of-67) from the field and scored 22 points off Bengal turnovers.
- The Hawks have now won 14 consecutive games against the Bengals.
UP NEXT
The Bengals finish the week with a road matchup at Oneonta Friday, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
