SUNY New Paltz Women’s Basketball Buries Blue Jays

BROOKLYN, NY — The SUNY New Paltz women’s basketball team gave Polytechnic University their fourth consecutive loss with a 75-36 victory this evening.

SUNY New Paltz (2-4) earned their second win of the 2005-2006 season with defense. The Hawks held the Fighting Blue Jays to 10.3% shooting from the floor in the first half, building a solid 29-point lead. SUNY New Paltz took a 39-10 lead into halftime behind the efforts of senior center Alexzandria Cruse (Poughkeepsie, NY). Cruse, in limited time, provided the Hawks with her second double-double of the year. She scored 17 points, on 8-of-9 shooting from the field, and hauled down ten boards in only 14 minutes. Sophomore center Christine Trupiano (Massapequa, NY) joined Cruse with a double-double of her own. Trupiano cashed in 15 points and grabbed a career-high 11 boards in her 16 minutes on the court. Sophomore guard Toni Marie Caserta (Levittown, NY) pitched in 11 points in the win.

Freshman guard Elizabeth Clifton (Brooklyn, NY) shined as the lone bright spot for Polytechnic University (3-4), who shot 15.1% from the field on the evening. Despite a 3-of-15 shooting performance, she scored 21 of the Fighting Blue Jay’s 36 points. Clifton cashed in from the free throw line, converting 14-of-22 from the charity stripe. Senior forward Sarah Walter (Queens, NY) chipped in with 14 rebounds.

The SUNY New Paltz women’s basketball team will play their next contest on Saturday, December 10, when they host the College of Staten Island at 2:00 pm.