New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz dropped its second consecutive game Friday night, falling to conference rival SUNY Potsdam, 83-70.
 
The Hawks (2-3 overall, 0-1 SUNYAC) struggled with turnovers and got into late foul trouble, which allowed the Bears (5-1, 1-0) to open up the game down the stretch in the second half.
 
Potsdam took an early 11-point lead in the first five minutes, but SUNY New Paltz worked its way back to earn its first advantage of the game after a made 3-pointer by Tristan Wissemann with about eight minutes remaining before the break. The two teams traded baskets until the Bears ended the half with six-straight points. Scott Reisert got the last two points of the period for the Hawks, however, grabbing an offensive board for a put-back in the final seconds.
 
The second half was all Potsdam, as the Bears took advantage of SUNY New Paltz miscues, which helped balloon the lead to as many as 22 twice midway through the period.
 
The Hawks shot 40 percent in the period and committed 18 turnovers, often on drives through the paint or inadvertent passes in the lane. The deficit was ultimately too much to overcome and the Hawks suffered their first conference loss of the season.
   
RJ Meyers-Turner totaled a game-high 27 points after shooting 7-for-12 from the field and hitting 9-of-10 from the foul line, while also adding five rebounds and two steals, but finished with a team-high six turnovers. Wissemann followed offensively with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Bien-Aise ended with a team-high 12 rebounds.
 
The Hawks ultimately shot 40 percent from the floor and 50 percent from 3-point range (6-for-12), but made just 63 percent from the foul line (14-for-22). They suffered a season-worst 28 turnovers in the game with the Bears registering 19 steals on the night.
 
SUNY New Paltz will look to bounce back Saturday when it hosts Plattsburgh State in the Hawk Center for a 4 p.m. game.

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