NEW PALTZ, N.Y.—SUNY New Paltz (11-3, 6-1 SUNYAC) held off the SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (6-8, 2-6) 64-55 on Friday evening. Graduate student
Jakia Howard (Syracuse, N.Y./Nottingham) had a game-high 24 points and nine rebounds. The performance moves her into fifth place on the program's all-time scoring list with 1,058 points. She remains in fourth place for rebounds with 691.
The Hawks opened the game with a 19-6 run, which included seven points from Abby Korzekwinski. The Bears roared back with a 9-2 finish to the quarter. Howard led the charge with six points.
New Paltz expanded its lead in the second quarter, outscoring the Bears 16-9. A jumper form Jenny Walton gave the Hawks their biggest lead of the half, 36-23, with 1:46 left. They led 37-26 at the break. Howard had four more points, including a 3-pointer. Junior guard
Xy'El Bradford (Syracuse, N.Y./Syracuse Academy of Science) also had a three.
The scoring in the third quarter was nearly even, with the hosts edging the Bears 16-14. Six straight points from Howard narrowed the gap to 44-36 at 5:16, but the Hawks soon padded their lead again. A three from Walton at 1:20, gave New Paltz a 53-40 advantage after 30 minutes. Howard scored eight more in the third.
Potsdam rallied in the final 10 minutes, outscoring the hosts 15-11, but ran out of time. Madison Mullman hit a three at 8:47 to give the Hawks their biggest lead of the contest, 58-42. Potsdam chipped away and a layup from junior forward
Alivia Latham (Brooklyn, N.Y./John Dewey) made it 64-55 with 3:42 left. Neither team scored for the rest of the contest.
Bradford had nine points and junior guard
Mikayla Shipley (North Chili, N.Y./Churchville) scored five points and grabbed five boards.
Brianna Fitzgerald paced New Paltz with 16 points, five assists and five rebounds. Walton finished with 12 points and four assists. Korzekwinski added nine points and eight boards. Mullman chipped nine points and three rebounds.
The Bears are back in action tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. when they head to SUNY Oneonta.
