Box Score

CORTLAND, N.Y. – The State University of New York at New Paltz men's basketball team fell victim to an offensive-minded SUNY Cortland squad that shot 14-of-28 (50 percent) from three-point range, as the Hawks fell to the Red Dragons, 84-56, in a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) game Tuesday night at Corey Gym.

Cortland went on a 15-2 run early and continued to pour on the offense throughout the rest of the first half, entering the locker room with a 55-29 lead. The Red Dragons led by as many as 32 points in the second half and ended up cruising comfortably to the win.

New Paltz drops to 6-14 overall and 3-10 in the SUNYAC with the loss. The Hawks next face Buffalo State on Friday, Feb. 7, at 8 p.m. at the Hawk Center. Cortland rises to 12-8 overall and 7-6 in the SUNYAC. The Red Dragons next visit SUNY Oswego on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 8 p.m.

The high-water mark for the Hawks in the contest came off an 11-4 spurt that occurred toward the tail end of the first half. Sophomore guards Zach Cone-Douglas (New Paltz, N.Y./New Paltz) and Keegan Donovan (Groton, N.Y./Groton) each hit a three-pointer to pull New Paltz within 21 at 45-24, but senior forward Garen Spendjian sank a three to make it a 24-point game. Graduate student guard Nick Taldi (Merrick, N.Y./Bellmore JFK) scored on a layup and Cortland's sophomore guard Blair Estarfaa knocked down a free throw before freshman guard/forward Joe Tino (Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y./Hastings) capped off the spurt with a trey to bring the Hawks within 20.

New Paltz outgained Cortland on the glass by a 37-34 margin, but the difference in the game came off the Red Dragons' prolific scoring. Cortland shot 52.8 percent (28-of-53) from the floor for the evening.

Junior guard/forward Taylor Sowah (Bronx, N.Y./Miller Place) was the Hawks' lone double-digit scorer with 14 points, and he also added team-highs in rebounds (8) and steals (3). Donovan helped facilitate the offense with a team-high five assists.

Cortland had four scorers reach double figures in points, with senior forward/center Kevin McMahon dropping in a game-high 22 off 8-of-8 shooting from the floor and 4-of-6 shooting from the line. Sophomore guard T.J. Hefele and Estarfaa provided 14 and 11 points, respectively, while freshman guard/forward Chris Williams netted 10 in just 12 minutes coming off the bench.