NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz men’s basketball team opened up their 2005-2006 conference schedule with a 76-75 overtime defeat of Oneonta. With the win the Hawks improve to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play, while Oneonta falls to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the conference.
Down 75-74 with two seconds left on the game clock, junior forward Bobby Kaible (Saugerties, NY) collected his sixth rebound of the night and deposited it in the basket to give SUNY New Paltz the one-point edge. After a failed last second heave the Hawks achieved the 76-75 victory.
Senior guard Keith Crichlow (Central Islip, NY) collected a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Hawks. Junior guard Matt Irwin (Brooklyn, NY) finished with 13, junior guard John Hauser (East Williston, NY) pitched in 15 points and nine assists, while junior center Jerome Richard (Kingston, Jamaica) tallied ten boards, six offensively.
The State University of New York (SUNYAC) rivals battled back and forth through the second half and remained tied 56-56 with 5:45 remaining in regulation. The Hawks were able to mount a five-point lead, 65-60, with 1:24 left on the clock, off some clutch shooting from Irwin and freshman forward Steven Lewis (Brooklyn, NY). The Red Dragons kept the pressure on and it soon paid off. After putting the Red Dragons within three on a couple of free throws, senior guard Sean Coffey (New Paltz, NY) nailed a three-pointer with 20 seconds remaining to tie the affair, 67-67.
Coffey led all scorers on the evening with 21 points. Four other Red Dragons joined him in double figures; junior forward Jaysen Murphy (East Elmhurst, NY) posted 14 points, junior forward Kevin Reed (Downsville, NY) added 15, freshman forward Ryan Morin (Altamont, NY) and junior guard Michael Reardon (Staten Island, NY) finished the evening with nine rebounds each and 12 and 11 points respectively.
Oneonta (1-3, 0-1) took a 35-34 lead into halftime behind the play of Murphy, who compiled ten points and three assists in the opening half. Coffey helped adding 11 in the first half. SUNY New Paltz kept the game close behind Crichlow grabbed six rebounds and dropped 12 points in the first half.
The SUNY New Paltz men’s basketball team will host the conclusion of the Hudson Valley Shootout tomorrow, November 30. Bard College will play Mount St. Mary at 6:00 pm in the consolation game, SUNY New Paltz will host local rival, Vassar College in the 8:00 pm Championship Game.
