NEW PALTZ, N.Y. - The New Paltz Hawks have won their 4th State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) women's basketball championship with a 63-57 overtime win over the Geneseo Knights. New Paltz has earned an automatic bid into the 2019 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament.
New Paltz senior guard Lindsay Bettke was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. She had 17 points, three rebounds, three assists, and one block in the championship game which followed a 26 point performance from her in the semifinal game on Friday.
McKenna Brooks of Geneseo had two double-doubles over the weekend. Brooks had 15 points and 12 rebounds in the championship and 14 points and 11 rebounds in the semifinal game. She was as well selected to the SUNYAC All-Tournament Team.
The SUNYAC Elite 20, is an award modeled after the NCAA ELITE 90 program, which recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the conference championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. Emily Nestler from Brockport was awarded the 2019 Women's Basketball Elite 20 at the championships.
2019 SUNYAC Women's Basketball All-Tournament Team
- Rachel Simon - New Paltz
- Kelsey Poplawski - Geneseo
- McKenna Brooks - Geneseo
- Julianna Taylor - Brockport
- Emily Nestler - Brockport
- MVP: Lindsay Bettke - New Paltz
