SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The State University of New York at New Paltz women's basketball team concluded its weekend at the 39th annual Skidmore Tournament with a 72-44 victory over Saint Joseph's College (Maine) Saturday afternoon.

The Hawks improve to 2-0 and will face Ithaca College in their home opener on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. Saint Joseph's falls to 1-1 and moves on to host Husson University on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m.

New Paltz held a 66-39 advantage in rebounds but the Monks were 10-11 in free throws, shooting 90.9 percent from the line.

Junior guard/forward Kit Small (Slingersland, N.Y./Academy of the Holy Name) and sophomore guard/forward Laura Stuart (Levittown, N.Y./Division Avenue) both notched double figures for the Hawks. Small collected 15 points and 10 rebounds while Stuart recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds and shot 2-of-2 from the foul line. Sophomore guard Sydney Pinn (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) chipped in 14 points of her own and shot 4-of-4 from the foul line.

The Hawks were the first to put up points on the board on two layups made by Small and Pinn. The Monks were able to sink a three-pointer to close the gap to one but New Paltz was quick to shake them off and push ahead to an 8-5 lead.

Saint Joseph's never remained far behind and soon suprassed the Hawks for a 16-11 advantage. A layup made by senior guard Courtney Irby (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale) brought the Hawks within three points (16-13) at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw the Hawks control most of the play as New Paltz scored 22 points for a large 35-26 lead heading into halftime. The Monks continued to struggle throughout the third and fourth quarters but were unable to catch New Paltz as the Hawks soared to the final 72-44 score.