Oswego, NY — Early in the fourth quarter, Olivia Badura just netted her third 3-pointer of the game to push the State University of New York at New Paltz's lead to 17 against hosting Oswego, and she was looking for more. Immediately going into full court pressure, Badura risked her body to dive for a pass hoping to make another steal for the Hawks and hurdled over the visitor-side chairs. She didn't get credited for the steal, but the play embodied the type of energy she brought Tuesday night to lead her team to a convincing, 68-42 win over the Lakers to complete the series sweep.
 
Badura finished with a career-high 30 points, becoming just sixth Hawk ever to score 30 or more points in a single game, and her total tied for fifth most all-time with former Hawk Rachel Simon ('19) who posted 30 points in a win over Buffalo State last season. Badura also contributed five rebounds, four on the offensive glass, two steals and shot 11-for-17 from the field in 30 minutes of action to carry the SUNY New Paltz offense on the night.
 
"Liv is so difficult to guard. When she gets in an attacking mindset she's really tough to deal with," said Hawks coach Jamie Seward. "She kept us afloat offensively because we were struggling to make shots. That happens, and from last spring when we started planning on how this team cold be successful we knew we had to do it on defense."  
It was a team effort on the defensive side of the floor for SUNY New Paltz, as it caused 33 Laker turnovers, while recording a season-high 20 steals on the night. The Hawks capitalized with 27 points off turnovers, while also getting out in transition, scoring 12 points off fast-break buckets.
 
SUNY New Paltz opened up with high-pressure defense against Oswego, which coughed up the ball a season-high 38 times when the two teams met three weeks ago. The Hawks forced the hosts into eight turnovers within the first five minutes, which led to a quick 10-2 lead. Graci Serravillo capped off the first quarter with a last second jumper to cushion the advantage, 16-7 heading into the following 10 minutes.
 
SUNY New Paltz had a down second period, where it hit just 18 percent from the field. The Lakers worked back in by getting to the basket and surged for a 7-0 run midway through the second quarter, which got them within two with three minutes left in the half. The Hawks never allowed Oswego to get in front, however, responding with six-straight points before the break. Maddie Van Pelt picked up the defensive rebound after a missed shot by the Lakers in the final seconds and pushed the ball ahead to Maddie Gillis who found Cassidy Deaver on a nice feed. Deaver finished on the attempt to add one last bucket for SUNY New Paltz as time expired to give her team a 26-18 lead at halftime.
 
"We still have some lulls and lapses, particularly when we aren't making shots," Seward continued. "Greatness doesn't get bored, so we need to figure that out if we want to take those next steps forward."
 
The game began opening up in the third, as the Hawks went on an 11-2 run following a basket by Oswego's Raiven Encarnacion in the first minute of the period. Again, SUNY New Paltz's offense stemmed from its play on the defensive side of the floor. Paige Niemeyer and Badura capitalized, accounting for all 11 points in the stretch to give their team a double-digit lead. Badura finished the quarter with a made 3, then earning a steal and getting out in transition to earn a trip to the foul line where she made both attempts to stretch the lead to 16 heading into the fourth.  
The Hawks saw their bench step up in the final minutes, as they got quality minutes from Gillis, Serravillo, Lexi Van Vorst and Victoria Venus to help maintain the double-figure cushion.
 
Gillis had arguably her best all-around performance as a Hawk, finishing with 10 points in 30 minutes off the bench, while adding five rebounds, five steals and a game, and career-high nine assists.
 
"Our bench has been really moving forward for a while now, and we got some very valuable contributions tonight as well," Seward said. "I was very happy to see the energy Maddie Gillis played with. When she plays with that kind of bounce in her step, she makes us a much more dynamic team. Other than a couple silly fouls, Graci also played well on both ends. Vickie Venus has been practicing lights out the last week or so and she gave us some solid minutes as well. Hopefully, we can get everyone going at the same time at some point here as we head down the stretch."
 
Niemeyer finished with eight points, four rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block, while Van Pelt added six points, eight rebounds and a game- and career-high eight steals, which lands tied for fourth most all-time in Hawks single game history.
 
SUNY New Paltz is back home Friday and Saturday for another big weekend, taking on rival SUNY Geneseo and The College at Brockport. The game against the Knights will be a "Green Out Game," for mental health awareness with the team asking fans to come out and wear green. Saturday's matchup against the Golden Eagles will be senior day, as the team will honor its four decorated seniors: Niemeyer, Van Pelt, Marion Dietz and Philesha Teape, prior to the game.
 
Tip-off Friday is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Hawk Center.

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