NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz men’s basketball team dropped this evening’s Championship Game, of the Hudson Valley Shootout, 79-74. The Hawks grabbed a second place finish in the two-day tournament, but fall to 3-2 on the season. Vassar improved to 4-1 with the victory.
Vassar College (4-1) and SUNY New Paltz (3-2) battled through a rough and tumble affair only to remained tied, 72-72, with 42 seconds remaining. The Brewers scored the next four points to gain a small cushion. The Hawks pulled to within two with nine seconds on the clock, off two free throws from junior forward John Hauser (East Williston, NY). The Brewers, however, sunk their next two free throws to reestablish the four-point edge and earn the 79-74 victory.
Junior forward William Kieffer (Chappaqua, NY) led all scores with 24 points on the evening and 13 rebounds. Kieffer would also take home the tournament Most Valuable Player honors. Three other Brewers joined him in double figures; sophomore guard Dan Forcella (Falmouth, ME) totaled ten points an earned recognition on the all-tournament team, sophomore forward Lawrence Avitabile (Southington, CT) registered 13 points and seven rebounds, and sophomore guard Tyson Brazell (Salt Lake City, UT) pitched in 16 points and nine boards in the win. Brazell also garnered all-tournament honors.
Hauser led the Hawks and completed the evening with 18 points, shooting 10-of-12 from the charity stripe and earned all-tournament honors. Junior guard Matt Irwin (Brooklyn, NY) totaled 12 points, senior guard Keith Crichlow (Central Islip, NY) added 11 points and freshman forward Steven Lewis (Brooklyn, NY) dropped in 13 points and pulled down eight rebounds for the Hawks.
The SUNY New Paltz men’s basketball team will travel this Saturday, December 3, to battle conference rival Potsdam at 4:00 pm.
