PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The State University of New York at New Paltz women's basketball team connected on 19-of-20 free throw attempts in the fourth quarter to cap off its road game weekend with an 81-73 triumph over SUNY Plattsburgh.

The Hawks shot 90.6 percent (29-of-32) from the line and clipped Plattsburgh, 51-41, in boards. Plattsburgh shot 38.4 (28-of-73) percent from the floor while holding the Hawks to a 34.3 (23-of-67) shooting percentage and scored 19 points off turnovers. Both teams tallied 17 bench points each.

The Hawks rise to 15-5, 10-3 and return home to host SUNY Oswego on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 5:30 p.m. Plattsburgh drops to 11-9, 5-8 and moves on to host SUNY Cortland on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m.

After both teams remained locked in an even score, the Cardinals broke away on a 7-0 run to pull ahead with a 15-6 edge over the Hawks. New Paltz was quick to close the gap as sophomore guard Jasmine Bryant (Elmont, N.Y./St. Mary's College Prep) put away a 3-point shot and a free throw attempt to tie the score at 17-all. Junior guard/forward Kit Small (Slingersland, N.Y./Academy of the Holy Names) landed the Hawks a 20-17 advantage after sinking a last second layup, followed by a made free throw.

Despite the Cardinals dishing out four answered points, freshman guard Lindsay Bettke (Pelham, N.Y./The Ursuline School) drained a 3-pointer to kick off a 19-0 spurt that pushed the Hawks to a comfortable 39-23 cushion. The Cardinals slowly chipped away at the score as the clock ticked down but would end up trailing, 43-31, at the break.

The Hawks refused to fold as the Cardinals put on the pressure in the third quarter, bringing the score within six but another layup by Small with 2:20 left on the clock kept the Hawks ahead with a 55-48 edge.

The fourth period saw New Paltz show its dominance in free throw attempts as the Hawks capitalized on several Plattsburgh fouls to maintain their lead. The Cardinals managed to rope the score within four with 29 seconds left to play but Plattsburgh was once again thwarted in its efforts as New Paltz connected on 4-of-4 from the line to seal the win.

Small converted 11-of-11 from the line and 8-of-13 from the field to collect a career-high 27 points. Bryant shot 5-of-9 from the floor, 4-of-6 from beyond the arc and 5-of-7 from the line for 19 points. Senior guard Goldie Harrison (Elmont, N.Y./Elmont Memorial) also had an impressive showing at the free throw line, connecting on 7-of-8. Sophomore guard/forward Laura Stuart (Levittown, N.Y./Division Avenue) posted a game-high 10 rebounds.

For Plattsburgh, senior forward Devona Paul tallied 17 points and seven rebounds while senior guard/forward Stephanie Linder also collected 17 points and chipped in a game-high five assists.