Since defeating Vassar 70-68 on Friday, Nov. 13 to open up their season, the Men’s basketball team has lost four-straight nonconference games to drop their record to 1-4.
After losing to Mount Saint Mary College 70-63 on Tuesday, Nov. 17 the Hawks traveled to Williamstown, Massachusetts to compete in the Williams Invitational. The Hawks lost both of their matches by close scores.
“We competed hard, although we still made a lot of mistakes,” fourth-year co-Captain Alex Perlman said. “As sloppy as we play, we always put ourselves in a position to win the game. This was the case with Mount Saint Mary College, The College of Mount Saint Vincent and Salem State University. Unfortunately we came up short with all three, but as we improve together as the season progresses, those nail biting losses will eventually turn into wins.”
On Friday, Nov. 20 New Paltz lost in overtime to The College of Mount Saint Vincent by a score of 88-86. The game went into overtime after the Dolphins missed a free throw attempt with one second remaining in regulation, keeping the game tied at 78-78.
The Dolphins quickly took a six-point lead over the Hawks in overtime, but New Paltz managed to cut the deficit to two points with nine seconds remaining. But Dolphins second-year guard Jose Maestre scored two consecutive free throws to put the game away.
Fourth-year co-Captain Keegan Donovan led the Hawks with 18 points, while third-year forward Andrew Seniuk was right behind him with 17 points and nine rebounds. Third-year forward Brandon Guest scored 13 points and tallied 10 rebounds to earn his first double-double of the season for the Hawks. Hawks fourth-year co-Captain R.J. Rosa posted 12 points and contributed two blocks while third-year guard Eric Regenbogen scored 11 points.
The following day, the Hawks lost to Salem State University in the consolation round of the Williams Invitational by a score of 85-84.
The Hawks were down as many as 19 points in the first half and entered the second half trailing the Vikings by a score of 49-36. The Hawks came all the way back to tie the game at 57-57 thanks to a layup by Guest at the 13:13 mark. New Paltz then rattled off five straight points to briefly take a 62-57 lead. But the Vikings went on a 28-22 run to close out the game and claim a very close 85-84 victory.
“We didn’t come out of the gates ready to go,” Head Coach Mike Rejniak said. “We’re a very good second half team, but we have to learn how to start our games ready to rock and roll.”
Then on Tuesday, Nov. 24 the Hawks lost to Middlebury College by a score of 80-63.
Rosa led the team with 22 points. Perlman was second on the team with 14 points and held down the defense with four blocks. Regenbogen tallied 12 points, while Seniuk grabbed 10 rebounds in the loss.
To succeed in the future, the team is looking to improve upon their possession game.
“I think it’s no secret our rebounding needs work,” Perlman said. “We’re a smaller team compared to most so we need to counter that with higher intensity crashing the glass and fundamental box-outs. Limiting our own turnovers will be important as well if we want to execute an efficient offense.”
The Hawks next continue their four-game homestand at the Hawk Center and begin State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play on Friday, Dec. 4 against SUNY Plattsburgh at 7:30 p.m. The team will then face SUNY Potsdam the following day at 4 p.m. The Hawks went 1-1 against Plattsburgh last season and won both of their matches against Potsdam.