Hawks Make Miracle Comeback to Advance to Semifinals

NEW PALTZ, NY — The fourth seeded New Paltz Hawks hosted the fifth seeded Geneseo Knights in the quarterfinals of the SUNYAC Championship and pulled off the impossible with an 85-77 overtime victory to advance to the semifinals on Friday. With 2:55 remaining in regulation, Geneseo led by 18 points before New Paltz hit four shots and made six of seven free throw attempts to cut the lead to 69-57 with 43 seconds left. Senior Kristin Jackson hit a three pointer at the 38 second mark and a turnover by Geneseo led to three pointer by Maggie Farrell five seconds later for a six point game, 69-63. Geneseo’s Jamie Scordino hit two free throw attempts to extend the lead to eight with 28 ticks remaining in regulation before Farrell and Jackson each hit another three pointer for a two point game at 71-69 with 13 seconds left. New Paltz forced a Geneseo turnover with with ten seconds left before junior Amber Sohns drove the lane and hit the game tying layup to force the overtime.
In the extra stanza, Geneseo scored the first three points, before the Hawks went on a 7-0 run to take command of the game. The Hawks hit three shots and made eight of nine free throw attempts in the overtime.
In the first half, Geneseo led 13-0 before New Paltz scored their first points of the game with 12:11 remaining. The Hawks cut the lead to six points at 18-12, but couldn’t come any closer for the 30-21 intermission.
Sohns posted a career high with 23 points on seven of fourteen from the floor and seven of eight from the charity stripe. Farrell tied her career high of 18 points and Jackson finished with 15 points, 10 of which were in the final two minutes of regulation. Senior Kerri Kelty finished with nine points, including five in the overtime session.
The Hawks will travel to Cortland on Friday, Feb. 23rd to face the Red Dragons in the semifinals at 8 p.m.