Women’s Basketball Team Edged by Plattsburgh in Season Finale

NEW PALTZ, NY – — The SUNY New Paltz women’s basketball team, who needed a win to keep its hopes of earning a spot in next week’s SUNYAC Tournament alive, fell to Plattsburgh 72-66 this afternoon.

The Cardinals (16-9, 11-5) were led by junior guard Scottie Rovito (Akron, NY) who poured in a game-high 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the floor. Rovito scored six straight points in an 11-3 second half run that gave Plattsburgh a 59-49 lead with 7:40 remaining. On the defensive end, the Cardinals limited New Paltz to 32 percent shooting in the second half and held the Hawks without a field goal for nearly six minutes.

Sophomore forward Tiffany Braley (Oxford, NY) and freshman guard Jennifer McDonough (Yonkers, NY) each added 14 points for Plattsburgh who defeated New Paltz for the second time this season.

New Paltz (9-16, 4-12) received 18 points apiece from senior forward Silver Williams (Newburgh, NY), and sophomores Kim Weigel (Whitestone, NY) and Tarah Norris (Port Jervis, NY).

Led by the play of Rovito and McDonough, who combined for 23 of the Cardinals’ 37 first-half points, Plattsburgh led by as many as seven midway through the first half. After New Paltz used a 12-5 run to pull even at 26 with six minutes left in the half, Plattsburgh quickly realed off eight of the next 10 points to build their advantage to 34- 28 with 3:57 left in the half.

The Hawks received a first half spark from Norris who scored 12 of her 18 points in the opening half and hit a jumper as time expired to pull New Paltz to within one, 37- 36 at the break.

Today was the final home game for seniors Williams, Katie Monahan (Port Jefferson Station, NY), Rebecca Osleeb (New York, NY) and Geri Streigold (Valley Stream, NY).