SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. –The State University of New York at New Paltz women's basketball team opened its 2015-16 campaign on a high note as the Hawks charged past Skidmore College, 62-45, in their first game of the Skidmore Tournament Friday evening.
 
The Hawks (1-0) close out their weekend at the Skidmore Tournament when they face Saint Joseph's College (Maine) tomorrow at 2 p.m. Skidmore (0-1) moves on to play Wellesley College tomorrow at 4 p.m.
 
New Paltz shot 60.0 percent from the floor and 34.0 percent from the field and held the Thoroughbreds to a 59-54 edge in rebounds.
 
Junior guard/forward Kit Small (Slingerlands, N.Y./Academy of the Holy Names) led the team with 20 points while shooting 5-of-7 from the floor. Senior guard Colleen Ames (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst) chipped in 10 points while shooting 2-of-2 from the foul line. Junior forward Courtney Irby (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale) led the team with nine rebounds and shot 4-of-4 from the foul line.
 
In the first quarter, Skidmore was quick to make two free throws for a short lead before Ames downed a 3-pointer to push the Hawks ahead by one. Both teams stayed matched until a layup by Sydney Pinn (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) pushed the Hawks to a 15-13 edge at the end of the first period.
 
Two free throws made by Irby early in the second quarter set the tone for New Paltz, as the Hawks controlled most of the play in the second stanza. Skidmore struggled to close the gap but were held at a 34-16 disadvantage heading into the half.
 
The third quarter saw the Thoroughbreds decrease the deficit to 34-20, but several New Paltz free throws helped construct a 19-point edge over Skidmore (50-31).
 
The Hawks would continue to show their dominance in free throws in the final quarter, with Small and senior guard Goldie Harrison (Elmont, N.Y./Elmont Memorial) sinking three apiece to help the Hawks seal the final 62-45 win.