FREDONIA, NY — The SUNY New Paltz men’s basketball team dropped their fifth game in a row, and third consecutive conference contest, to Fredonia this afternoon, 70-67.
SUNY New Paltz (4-9, 1-4) and Fredonia (6-7, 1-4) played a hard fought affair for the majority of the afternoon. The Blue Devils, however, managed to build an eight-point lead, their largest of the game, with 4:30 remaining in the contest. Down, but not out, the Hawks rallied behind some good long distance shooting. SUNY New Paltz converted 8-of-15 from behind the three-point line in the second half, including three-of-four down the stretch. Junior guard Matt Irwin (Brooklyn, NY) hit a clutch three-point basket with the final seconds to bring the Hawks within two, but it was not enough as Fredonia held on for the win.
The Hawks had four players finish the afternoon in double figures. Irwin totaled 15 points and six assists. Junior forwards Bobby Kaible (Saugerties, NY) and John Hauser (East Williston, NY) recorded 13 points and 11 points, respectively. Hauser led the Hawks in rebounds with nine. Senior guard Keith Crichlow (Central Islip, NY) pitched in ten points and two blocks in the loss.
Fredonia established a three-point lead at halftime, 27-24, and in the end won by that same margin. Senior guard Mike Kelly (Corning, NY) led the Blue Devils with 12 points. Junior guard Taha Alassari (Brooklyn, NY) and sophomore center Kyle Gordon (Canandaigua, NY) each added 11 points. Gordon led Fredonia with eight rebounds.
The SUNY New Paltz men’s basketball team with travel next to Brockport on Tuesday, January 17 for an 8:00 pm conference game.
