SUNY New Paltz Men’s Basketball Wins Home Opener

NEW PALTZ, NY — In the opening round of the Hudson Valley Shootout, the SUNY New Paltz men’s basketball team grabbed a win in their home opener, 63-57, over Mount St. Mary College.

SUNY New Paltz (2-1) entered halftime down 30-29 to the Knights. Mount St. Mary (2-1) senior guard Julio Ramirez (Queens, NY) led the Knight’s charge in the first half with ten points. Senior guard Brandon Weldon (Elmsford, NY) added eight, shooting two-of-three from behind the three-point line to give the Knights the one point edge. Junior Forward Bobby Kaible (Saugerties, NY) led all Hawks at half with eight points, shooting two-of-two from behind the arch.

With 12:52 remaining in the second half junior guard Matt Irwin (Brooklyn, NY) hit a three to put the Hawks up by two. The Knights cut the SUNY New Paltz lead to one with 3:52 remaining, off a three pointer from Ramirez. The Hawks, however, held off Mount St. Mary for the remainder of the contest to ensure the 63-57 victory. Junior forward John Hauser (East Williston, NY) led SUNY New Paltz with 20 points and seven rebounds. Kaible finished the evening with ten points and eight rebounds.

Ramirez finished the evening as the top scorer for the Knights with 20 points and tallied three steals. Weldon chipped in 13 points and freshman forward Chris Harrison (Baldwin, NY) added ten rebounds and two blocks in the loss.

The SUNY New Paltz Hawks will play Vassar College in the 2005 Hudson Valley Shootout Championship Game on Wednesday, November 30 at 8:00 pm. Bard College and Mount St. Mary will play in the consolation game at 6:00 pm.

The SUNY New Paltz men’s basketball team will open their conference schedule at home on Tuesday, November 29, at 8:00 pm.