Second Half Surge Keys Mount Past SUNY New Paltz

NEW PALTZ, NY — Mount St. Mary used an 18-3 run in the first five minutes of the second half to defeat the SUNY New Paltz women’s basketball team 77-48 at Elting Gym this evening.

The Hawks (1-2) trailed 29-28 at the half before the Blue Knights used an 18-3 run in the first five minutes of the second half to build a 47-31 lead. Senior forward Nneka Cruse (Highland Falls, NY) helped key the Mount St. Mary run with five of her 10 points coming during the Blue Knights’ early second half surge. After being held scoreless in the first half, senior guard Oneisha Staples (Newburgh, NY) finished with a game-high 14 points and five assists to help Mount St. Mary (3-0) remain unbeaten.

Junior guard Kellie Stuart (Massapequa Park, NY) also finished in double figures for the Blue Knights with 13 points, including three, three-point field goals. Mount St. Mary was 8-of-16 from beyond the arc for the game and 6-for-11 from three-point range in the second half.

SUNY New Paltz was led by senior guard Kim Weigel (Whitestone, NY) who finished with 12 points. Sophomore guard Kristin Jackson (East Islip, NY) added 11 points and helped the Hawks overcome a 10-point first half deficit with three, three-point field goals. SUNY New Paltz trailed 24-16 with seven minutes remaining in the opening half before outscoring Mount St. Mary 12-5 the rest of the way to head into the break trailing by one.