New Paltz Women's Basketball Advance to Second Round of NCAA Tournament with 63-47 Win Over Gettysburg
New Paltz Sports Information Department
Babson Park, NY — The Hawks are on to round two.
The State University of New York at New Paltz knocked off Gettysburg College Friday night in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament with a 63-47 win.
The Hawks earned an at-large bid for the first time as they entered their seventh NCAA Tournament appearance, including their fourth straight. However, after falling in the first-round last season, they were locked in on advancing through as they stepped onto the floor Friday against the Bullets.
"I thought our players really responded to the challenge of playing in the NCAA Tournament," said SUNY New Paltz coach Jamie Seward. "The intensity level that they played — early in the game we let a couple loose balls go their way and that's something that we really addressed. We were first to the ball on the floor or off the glass most of the remaining of the game. We were able to make enough shots early that allowed us to create some space and these guys [took] it to the basket like the way they're capable of doing it."
A low scoring start off the opening tip, Victoria Venus swished on a free throw to push the Hawks head, 7-4 at the first media timeout. Brianna Fitzgerald stretched the lead to five with two minutes to go in the period, stripping Ab Holsinger for the steal and laying in two the other way. Gettysburg worked its way back on a 3-pointer by Alayna Arnolie, but Cassidy Deaver gave SUNY New Paltz a one-point cushion after driving and earning a trip to the line where she made 1-of-2.
The game was tight until a 9-0 run gave the Hawks the cushion needed to pull away for the duration. Following a make by the Bullets, SUNY New Paltz anchored down on a strong defensive possession, forcing a tough shot by Cynthia Williams. Julia Sabatino snatched the defensive board and pushed ahead to Fitzgerald who drove through the lane for two that propelled the run. The Hawks capitalized on another defensive stop, as Fitzgerald used a screen by Abby Korzekwinski to pull up and knock down two more points to extend the difference to five.
