New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz dropped its second conference game of the season Saturday, falling to visiting Plattsburgh State, 81-60.
 
After starting the year winning two of three, the Hawks have dropped three-straight games, including their two opening contests in State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play this weekend.
 
SUNY New Paltz (2-4 overall, 0-2 SUNYAC) struggled with turnovers in a 13-point loss to SUNY Potsdam Friday, and again struggled with miscues, while having its worst offensive performance of the season against the Cardinals (3-4, 1-1). The Hawks shot just 37 percent against Plattsburgh Saturday, which got great production from its bench in the win.
 
The Cardinals established an early 10-point lead six minutes into the first half, but SUNY New Paltz worked itself back to get within six with four minutes remaining before the break following a made 3-pointer by Jake Passaretti. However, the Hawks couldn't hold onto the momentum and fell behind by double-digits once again before Rylan Blondo, who provided a much-needed spark off the bench, knocked down a corner 3 to trim the deficit back down to nine  with just more than a minute remaining. Scott Reisert had the final say for SUNY New Paltz in the half, picking up an offensive board and put-back to cut the lead, 34-26 at the break.
 
 
The Hawks couldn't translate the momentum-shift into the second half, as they struggled down the stretch to make shots and get a stop. Plattsburgh's Nick Deangelis continued his productive night off the bench and totaled 13 of his game-high 19 points in the second half.
 
The Cardinals opened up the score to as many as 32, taking advantage of SUNY New Paltz's foul trouble, which hindered the Hawks' ability to get anything going to chip away at the large deficit. Ultimately, SUNY New Paltz was handed its third-straight loss to close out a frustrating weekend. 
RJ Meyers-Turner was the only Hawk in double-figure points, finishing with a team-high 19 after shooting 6-for-13 from the field. Passaretti and Blondo followed with eight points apiece. Passaretti made 3-for-7 from the field with three rebounds, while Blondo knocked down 3-for-5 with three rebounds.
 
SUNY New Paltz will look to put an end to its losing skid Tuesday when its back home in a non-conference matchup against St. Joseph's-Brooklyn at 5 p.m. Tuesday's contest is a Unity Game for the Hawks, who are asking fans to come out and wear black.

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