A Quick Look
The SUNY Oneonta women's basketball nearly erased a seven-point deficit in the final quarter, but came up short today against New Paltz 56-53.  The loss for the Red Dragons drops them to 3-7 overall and 0-3 in the SUNYAC while the win for the Hawks pushes them to 8-2 overall and 3-0 in the conference.
 
The Inside Story
Oneonta grabbed its largest lead of the game in the opening quarter with a five-point burst to break a 9-9 tie late.  Freshman Margaret Nardelli (Wappingers Falls/Roy C. Ketcham) entered the game and buried a three to start her day.  After each team had a possession, senior Leanne Corso (Commack/Commack) grabbed an offensive rebound and scored to put Oneonta ahead 14-9 at the 1:49 mark.  The Hawks battled back to close within two points, but the Red Dragons held a 16-14 advantage at the end of the quarter.
 
An 11-4 run by New Paltz in the first four minutes of the second quarter gave them a 25-18 lead.  Freshman Olivia Badura drained one of her five threes in the game to cap the run.
 
After Lexi Van Vorst made a three to give the Hawks its largest lead at 31-22, Oneonta pushed back scoring five unanswered over the final 3:26 to close the gap to 31-27 entering halftime.
 
The Red Dragons stayed close in the third quarter until seven unanswered by the Hawks gave them a 48-41 lead heading into the final quarter.  A three by both Badura and senior Marion Dietz fueled the mini burst.
 
A free throw by senior Casey Hayes (New Hyde Park/Sewanhaka) brought Oneonta to within a point at 48-47 with still over seven minutes to go.  The Hawks created some space and a jumper by senior Paige Niemeyer put the Hawks ahead 54-49.  Freshman Lauren Obermeyer then converted back-to-back layups to make the score 54-53 with 2:12 remaining.
 
Dietz made a pair of free throws with 22 seconds left for the final points of the contest.  Oneonta had multiple chances but couldn't get the tying three to fall.
 
Just the Stats
Nardelli led three Red Dragons in double figures with 13 points off the bench.  Hayes posted a double-double with 10 points and a game high 11 rebounds.  Obermeyer finished the game with 11 points.
 
The Hawks were led by led by Dietz's game high 21 points followed by Badura who posted 19 points.
 
Twelve of New Paltz's 17 baskets in the game came from behind the arc.  Oneonta outrebounded New Paltz 43-33 and held them to 26 percent shooting.
 
What's Next
Oneonta will travel to SUNY Cortland this coming Tuesday for the first of two match ups with its rival.  Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30pm.