GENESEO, NY — The SUNY New Paltz men’s basketball team fell to State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) rival Geneseo, this afternoon 72-63. The Hawks drop to 5-18 on the season and 2-12 in the SUNYAC while Geneseo improves to 11-12 on the year and 6-8 in the SUNYAC.
Despite shooting 47.8% from the field, SUNY New Paltz found themselves down by eight points at the half, 36-28. Junior forward John Hauser (East Williston, NY) ignited the offense for the Hawks with 15 points. Junior point-guard Matt Irwin (Brooklyn, NY) collected 13 points and snatched four boards, while sophomore point-guard Jimmy Sugrue (Brooklyn, NY) netted 12 points and was two-of-two from three-point range. Freshman forward Steven Lewis (Brooklyn, NY) contributed ten points and grabbed four rebounds.
Geneseo held their lead, out scoring SUNY New Paltz by only one point, 36-35, in the second half to solidify the 72-63 win. Early in the second half, the Blue Knights lead by as many as 15 points but SUNY New Paltz cut Geneseo?s lead to two. The Hawks had an impressive 6-0 run, but key misses from the free throw line allowed the Blue Knights to regain control and rebuild their lead to nine points in the final minute of play.
The Blue Knights played stellar defense snatching 34 rebounds, 23 defensively. Junior guard Steve McDonnell (Fairport, NY) led Geneseo with 17 points, four assists and shot seven-of-eight from the charity stripe while junior forward Greg Spears (Olean, NY) netted 13 points and nine rebounds.
The SUNY New Paltz men’s basketball team will return to action on February 14, when they host conference rival Cortland.
