Irwin leads New Paltz women to victory over Buffalo State

NEW PALTZ, NY- The SUNY New Paltz women’s basketball hosted the Bengals from Buffalo State and defeated Bengals 56-39, Saturday afternoon in the Hawk Center.

In the first half, Caitlin Irwin (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Kearney) scored the first nine points for the Hawks on 3-of-3 from behind the arc and finished the half with 14 points and three rebounds. Artie Williams (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh Free Academy) and Chelsea Clarke (Ithaca, NY/Lansing) each recorded six points and three rebounds. The Hawks led 28-20 at the half.

The defense of the Hawks forced 17 first half turnovers, Maggie Farrell (Hillsdale, NY/Immaculate) led with four of the 11 steals for the Hawks.

The Bengals were led by Barb Kiliszek and Shareese Hamer with five points and five rebounds a piece. The Hawks held Buffalo State to 30 percent from the field.

In the second half, the Hawks held the Bengals to 24 percent from the floor and forced 13 turnovers, nine of which were steals. Leading by eight after the break, the Hawks went an 11-2 run in a forty second span to push the lead to 17, 39-22.

The Bengals responded with an 8-0 run in a minute and thirty-five seconds to cut the lead to 39-30. The Bengals were able to trim the lead to six at 41-35 with 8:57 remaining, but the Hawks were take control from there. The Hawks outscored the Bengals 15-4 over the last 8:45.

The Hawks were led by freshman guard Irwin with a career high 23 points and seven rebounds. Williams added 11 points and eight rebounds and Clarke chipped in with 11 points and seven rebounds.

Buffalo State was led by Kiliszek with 16 points and nine rebounds and Jessica Clark added four points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals in the losing efforts. The Bengals fall to 1-6 overall and 0-2 in SUNYAC competition.

The Hawks improve to 6-2 overall and 3-0 in SUNYAC competition.

The Hawks return to the court January 6 against Norwich at 5 p.m. in the Hawk Center.