NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz men’s basketball team continued their recent poor play this evening in a 73-49 loss to conference rival Geneseo. With the loss the Hawks fall to 4-12 overall and 1-7 in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC). The Knights grabbed their second consecutive conference win improving to 7-7 overall and 2-3 in the SUNYAC.
SUNY New Paltz (4-12, 1-7) entered halftime down only two, 30-28. Junior center Jerome Richards (Kingston, Jamaica), who turned in a double-double on the evening, led the Hawks with nine points and eight rebounds at the half. Juniors, guard Steve McDonnell (Fairport, NY) and forward Scott Sciera (Livonia, NY) total nine points apiece in the opening half for Geneseo.
Geneseo (7-7, 2-3) opened the second half with a 15-7 run to establish a ten-point lead with 10:27 remaining on the game clock. SUNY New Paltz immediately cut the Geneseo lead to eight, but quickly lost ground as the Knights out-scored the Hawks 19-2 in over the next six minutes. McDonnell led all scores with 18 points for the Knights. Sophomore guard Tarik Kitson (New York, NY) provided a strong effort for Geneseo with 16 points and eight rebounds. Richards, who totaled 15 points and, a career-high, 11 rebounds on the night, led SUNY New Paltz. Senior guard Keith Crichlow (Central Islip, NY) topped all SUNY New Paltz scorers with 16 points, on six-of-nine shooting from the field. Junior forward John Hauser (East Williston, NY) collected six assists and three steals.
The SUNY New Paltz men’s basketball team will travel to Oneonta on Tuesday, January 24 for an 8:00 pm SUNYAC competition.
