Hawks Make It Three Straight With Win Over Conference Rival SUNY IT

NEW PALTZ, NY — SUNY New Paltz outscored SUNY IT 17-2 in the first eight minutes of the second half and held off a late rally by the Wildcats to come away with a 56-50 win this evening at Elting Gym.

The Hawks pushed what was a 23-21 lead at the break to a 40-23 margin with 11:55 to play. Freshman guard Kerri Kelty (Valley Stream, NY) led the way with 18 points as New Paltz pushed its winning streak to three and improved to 4-6 overall and 1-2 in the SUNYAC.

Junior guard Kim Weigel (Whitestone, NY) added 10 points and hit three free throws in the final 19 seconds to secure the victory.

SUNY IT, who trailed by as many as 19 in the second half clawed their way to within three with 25 seconds remaining following one of two free throws by senior guard Jessica Skelton (Camden, NY). Skelton led all scorers with 24 points. Senior center Abby Bordiuk (Oriskany, NY) and junior forward Tosca Maxam (Waterville, NY) each had 11 for the Wildcats who dropped to 2-7 overall and 1-2 in the SUNYAC.

After SUNY IT scored the first eight points of the game, and built a 16-8 advantage with 10:29 remaining in the first half, New Paltz used a 15-0 surge to take a 23-16 lead with 3:15 left in the half. Kelty sank two three-point field goals during the run and a stingy defensive effort held the Wildcats to just one field goal in the final 10 and a half minutes.