NEW PALTZ, NY — Freshman guard Kerri Kelty (Valley Stream, NY) scored 20 points and dished out 10 assists to lead the SUNY New Paltz women’s basketball team to an 82-76 win over Skidmore College this afternoon at Elting Gym.
Kelty was one of five Hawks who finished in double figures as New Paltz registered its second consecutive win and improved to 3-6. Junior guard Kim Weigel (Whitestone, NY) added 14 points for New Paltz who shot 10-of-15 from three-point range and enjoyed its highest offensive output since defeating Brooklyn College 98-38 in the season opener on Nov. 21.
The Hawks opened up an eight point lead with 2:24 left in the first half on a lay up by sophomore forward Tania Liberato (Brentwood, NY). The Hawks carried a 36-28 lead into the half and pushed it to 13 early in the second half on a three-point field goal by Weigel.
Skidmore (5-6) then outscored New Paltz 18-7 over the next six minutes and cut the Hawks lead to 56-54 on a free throw by sophomore forward Lisa Jones (Winsted, CT) with 9:50 remaining. From there, the Hawks scored 14 of the next 16 points and a jumper by junior forward Tarah Norris (Port Jervis, NY) gave New Paltz a 70-56 lead with 5:47 remaining.
The Thoroughbreds made one last run and cut the New Paltz lead to 78-74 with 49 seconds remaining on a three-point field goal by freshman guard Shardae Gonsalves (New Bedford, MA). Skidmore, who was 10-of-19 from beyond the arc, was not able to pull any closer. Jones led all scorers with 22 points. Junior guard Lisa Mason (Herkimer, NY) had 21 points and was 6-of-10 from three-point range.
Freshman guard Kelly Germain (Albany, NY) had 13 points for the Hawks and senior forward Lindsay Dakin (Andover, CT) added 12 points and hit two three-point field goals.
