Harris Wichard (Merrick/Bellmore JFK) hit a three with two seconds on the clock to make it a one point game at 72-71 before the Hawks were forced to foul and send Potsdam to the line. Edward Cross netted both free throws for the 74-71 final as New Paltz was unable to get a final shot off in the last second Friday night.
Wichard finished with a game and career-high 23 points, including three treys in the final 1:17 of the game. Junior forwards Connor Cornine (Warwick/Don Bosco Prep) and Lee Bertram (Bayport/Bayport Blue Point) each posted a double-double on the night. Cornine scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and Bertram netted 13 points and 12 boards. Ryan Sawyer (Peekskill/Croton Harmon) went 4-of-6 from the arc for a career-high 12 points and junior guard Oppong Agyemang (Windsor, CT/Windsor) dished out a game and career-high 11 assists, placing him second on the all-time season high charts. Agyemang is three assists away from the season record, currently held by Eric Bell who handed out 152 assists in the 94-95 season.
The Hawks took an early 19-8 lead on three consecutive three pointers by Sawyer at 11:52. The Bears answered with a 13-2 run over the next 5:42 to tie the game at 21-21 and continued to hold the Hawks scoreless as they took a 28-21 lead. Sawyer ended the drought for the Hawks on a three pointer and Cornine hit a jumper for a two point game at 28-26 with 2:26 left en route to the Bears leading 33-26 at the half.
In the second stanza, Potsdam led by as many as nine before New Paltz cut the deficit to two points at 42-40 when Wichard went 2-2 from the charity stripe. Potsdam led 50-46 when Cornine blocked a jump shot by Cross and Sawyer picked up the rebound and fed Bertram for a layup and drew a foul. Bertram converted the three point play and brought the Hawks to within one, 50-49, with 9:46 remaining. Potsdam led by 10 late in the game; 1:28 left on the clock, setting the stage for Wichard’s series of three pointers making the final seconds a nail bitter with Potsdam coming out on top.
The Hawks fall to 7-17 on the season and 4-11 in conference. New Paltz will conclude their season on Saturday at 6pm when they host Plattsburgh.
