NEW PALTZ, NY — Junior Amber Sohns made a three point play with 18 seconds left to lift the Hawks to a 54-52 win over the Potsdam Bears Friday night. The Hawks trailed 52-51 with 28 seconds remaining. Sohns drove the lane and made a layup, in addition to being fouled on the play. Sohns completed the three point play, but it was far from over as the Hawks had to play defense for the next 18 seconds. The Bears were able to get a three attempts off at the end due to their offensive rebounding, but came up short on each attempt.
The Bears started the game with a 10-3 lead on a layup by Roberta Gibson at 16:24. The Hawks then went on a 16-4 run over the next ten minutes for the 19-14 lead with 6:40 remaining before the 25-25 intermission score. In the second half the Hawks jumped out to a quick six point lead before the Bears came fighting back to take the lead at 37-36 with 12:10 left. It was back and forth for the remainder of the game before the Hawks took a three point lead at 51-48 on a layup by Kristen Sitek at 2:36. But the Bears kept fighting and took the lead at 52-51, before Sohns heroic finish.
Maggie Farrell led the Hawks with 12 points and eight boards. Kristin Sitek finished with 11 points and five rebounds and Sohns scored seven points and grabbed seven boards. Senior Kerri Kelty handed out six assists as New Paltz advances to 15-9 on the season and 9-6 in the conference.
The Hawks will complete the regular season Saturday afternoon when they host the Plattsburgh Cardinals at 2 p.m.
