The SUNY Oneonta men's basketball team never trailed in today's victory against New Paltz.  A three-pointer by sophomore Ian Schultz (Clifton Park/CBA) broke a 2-2 tie at the 16:58 mark of the opening half and Oneonta continued to carry play en route to an 82-72 win today at home.
 
For the second straight game, the bench for Oneonta (8-5, 4-3 SUNYAC) gave them a lift.  The reserves combined for 45 points in the game while New Paltz's bench managed only 22 points.  Freshman Joseph Bull (Bronx/Mount St. Michael) played 24 minutes and scored a season high 12 points.  Sophomore Harrison Deegan (Putnam Valley/Putnam Valley) also reached double figures with 10 points in 21 minutes of action.
 
"We had several guys step up, and give us positive contributions today," said Head Coach Cameron Conover.  "I trust every player on our roster, and it makes my job easier knowing I can put anyone in at any given time.  We had 45 points from our bench today. Our guys have continued to work hard and be ready when their number is called."
 
Sophomore Kevin Mackin (Nanuet/Nanuet) led the Red Dragons with 13 points while junior Matthew Boyd (Hempstead/Half Hollow Hills East) added 10 points.
 
Today's game was settled at the foul line with Oneonta converting 29-of-33 from the charity stripe while the Hawks made only 18-of-29.  The Red Dragons also turned 16 New Paltz (4-10, 1-6 SUNYAC) into 22 points on the offensive end.
 
Oneonta closed the first half with a 9-3 run to grab a 40-27 lead heading into the break.  Freshman Sean Nolan (Voorheesville/Voorheesville) scored five of the nine points while Bull added the other four points.
 
The Red Dragons led by as many as 19 points before the Hawks began chipping away at the lead.  New Paltz put together an 13-4 run over a two-minute block, which cut Oneonta's lead to 10 points with less than 10 minutes remaining.  Junior Paddy Parr led the charge with seven of his 13 points.
 
A three-pointer by junior Nick Paquette capped a 9-1 run by the Hawks pulling them to within five points with 1:27 left in the game.  The Red Dragons ended any chance of a further comeback by converting 6-of-8 free throws down the stretch.
 
Senior Brandon guest led all scorers in the game with 20 points for the Hawks.  Paquette added 13 points while Cory Garcia scored 10 points.
 
Oneonta will get an opportunity to avenge its defeat to rival SUNY Cortland on Tuesday on the road.  Tip-off is scheduled for 6pm.