Hawks Pull-Away in Second Half for Win

NEW PALTZ, NY- The New Paltz men’s basketball continued to play strong in a 78-65 victory over the Bengals from Buffalo State Friday night in the Hawk Center.The nations assist leader, Oppong Agyemang had game-high eight assists and no turnovers and Jayquan Anderson had a double-double to help lead the Hawks to the win.The Hawks forced 18 turnovers and had 12 steals as a team to improve to 7-5 overall and 3-3 in the conference.

Anderson had 17 points and a career-high 15 rebounds to pace the Hawks and Nick Taldi added 18 points and four rebounds.Harris Wichard chipped in with 14 points and six rebounds and Shereef Taylor had 11 points.

T.O. Jackson had a game-high 20 points and added seven rebounds and Jake Simmons chipped in with 19 points.Norman Simmons had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds and Glenroy Carr had seven points and 11 rebounds for the Bengals.Buffalo State falls to 4-6 overall and 2-2 in the conference.

The teams traded baskets to open the second half.With the Hawks trailing 46-44 with 10:43 left in the go, Agyemang assisted Anderson on lay-up who was fouled on the play and converted the old fashion three point play to take a 47-46 lead that the Hawks would not relinquish.The lay-up ignited a 14-0 run which had the Hawks up by 12, 58-46, with 6:05 to go.

After falling behind 4-0 in the opening minutes, the Hawks responded with a 10-0 run over a two minute span and would push their lead to nine at 17-8 with 12:47 to go in the first half.The Bengals would take six point lead with a 15-0 run with 9:02 remaining.Matt Devine hit a three-pointer to end the streak and the Hawks would regain the lead at 29-27 with 5:05 left and would take a 33-32 lead into the break.The Hawks bench outscored the Bengals 18-2 in the half.