Buffalo State’s women’s basketball program (4-17, 1-13 SUNYAC) was edged out by SUNY New Paltz (19-3, 14-1 SUNYAC) 69-41 on Tuesday at SUNY Cortland.
The game was originally scheduled for Jan. 13, but was rescheduled due to a lake effect snowstorm that struck Buffalo. The match was moved to Cortland to accommodate travel.
Not a single Bengal netted double-figures. Chloe Hanson led the prowl with eight points and a team-high six rebounds. Emma Cohen and Maddy Stearns each added six points, along with one rebound and five boards, respectively.
New Paltz was in the driver’s seat for the entirety of the matchup, and they never hit the brakes. Buffalo State was held to a mere six points in the first quarter while the Hawks quickly took a 13-2 advantage with 4:41 left.
Jadyn Jones netted a fastbreak jumper before Cohen banked her own shot to trail 20-6 heading into the second period.
Cohen scored a pair from the charity stripe to cap a 6-4 run and trail by 12 before the Hawks hit back-to-back threes to make it 32-15. Kirsten Merritt made two free throws and Josie Fleming hit a jumper to trail 34-19 at the half.
New Paltz scored four quick points and Carly Atty drilled a three before Adiya Jones made both free throws to trail 43-26 with 3:55 left in the third quarter. The Hawks hit a triple to spark an 8-3 run to boast a 22-point advantage over the Bengals, and Buffalo State trailed 51-33 at the end of the quarter.
The Bengals fell apart as they only netted eight points in the final ten minutes, but allowed their opponents to drop 18 points. The Hawks sank a three to spark a 16-4 run before Stearns made two free throws and a layup to end the game 69-41 in favor of New Paltz.
Buffalo State shot a disappointing 2-of-9 beyond the arc and only made 14 shots from the field on 50 attempts, but made 64.7% of their free throws.
The Bengals had 27 bench points, 20 points in the paint and 11 second-chance points.
The Hawks were 27-of-69 from the field, 9-of-31 from three and 6-of-7 from the charity stripe.
Buffalo State returns to action Friday evening at-home for “Senior Night.” Tipoff is set for 5:30p.m.
