A jumper by Cory Garcia of New Paltz with seven seconds remaining in overtime lifted the host Hawks to a 79-77 win today against SUNY Oneonta.  In the game, Oneonta (3-4, 0-3 SUNYAC) had five players in double figures led by junior Kevin Mackin (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet) and sophomore Joseph Bull (Bronx, NY/Mount St. Michael Academy) who each scored 17 points.  Bull, who hit the game-tying, buzzer-beating three-pointer at the end of regulation posted a collegiate best point total today.

"I'm proud of our guys for fighting back," said Coach Cameron Conover.  "It was a really good game, as both teams competed hard.  We are learning that it's hard to win a college basketball game.  The loss hurts, but we will bounce back and continue to work hard."
 
The Red Dragons led by four points on two separate occasions in the overtime before New Paltz (4-4, 1-2 SUNYAC) fought back to tie the game 75 apiece and the again at 77 before getting the game-winner.
 
Joining Mackin and Bull in double figures was juniors Harrison Deegan (Putnam Valley, NY/Putnam Valley) and Ian Schultz (Clifton Park, NY/CBA) and sophomore Andres Rivera (Bronx, NY/Walton) with 11 points, 14 points and 10 points respectively.
 
Oneonta carried a five-point lead into the second half and led for most of the half.  The Hawks tied the score at 46 apiece on a layup Jake Passaretti.  The Red Dragons regained the lead and built it back to six points through the middle of half before New Paltz tied the score for a second time at 58-58 with 7:30 remaining.
 
Three lead changes later, the Hawks found themselves in front 66-65 with 1:57 to go.  Neither team could convert on their ensuing possessions keeping the score the same with four seconds left.  Garcia then converted a pair of free throws to give the Hawks a 68-65 lead before the tying three by Bull as time expired.
 
Oneonta fell behind early 11-4 in the first half before storming back to grab a 14-13 lead on a made three-pointer by Schultz.  The two teams then took turns with the lead until the Red Dragons opened up a six-point advantage on a Rivera jumper at the 4:33 mark.  A layup by Mackin pushed Oneonta's lead two eight points with 39 seconds to go in the half before Passaretti hit a three to cut the deficit to five points at the break.
 
Passaretti led all scorers in the game with 20 points.  Nick Paquette and Tristan Wissemann each reached double figures for New Paltz with 17 points and 10 points respectively.
 
Oneonta will head to the west coast to play at Chapman and La Verne on Dec. 19^th and 20^th.