Box Score

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – In the first game of 2013 for both teams, Mount Saint Mary College fell to unbeaten New Paltz, 63-48, in non-conference action on Friday evening.  The Knights fall to 5-6 overall, while the Hawks improve to 10-0.

New Paltz roared out of the gates, seizing a 15-2 advantage with the help of a full-court press.  Unfazed, the Knights responded with a 15-2 run of their own and when sophomore Lauren Romao (Brick, N.J.) drained a three-pointer with 7:31 remaining in the opening half, the teams were tied at 17 apiece. 

Trailing by four later in the half, the Mount answered with three straight triples, one from senior Becky Metzger (Point Pleasant, N.J.) and two from senior Charneice McCullough (Wyandanch, N.Y.), to take a five point lead.  The Knights carried a three-point advantage (28-25) to the locker room.

The lead would be short-lived, however, as the Hawks opened the second half on yet another 15-2 run to lead 40-30 with just under sixteen minutes to go.  A layup from junior Rachel Perrone (Poughquag, N.Y.) cut the deficit back to single digits, but it would be as close as the Knights would get for the rest of the way.  New Paltz led by double digits for the remainder of the contest and eased to the 15-point victory.

Senior Alex McCullough (Delmar, N.Y.) scored a game-high 20 points for the Hawks, adding five rebounds and three steals on the evening. Senior Maliqua Fisher (North Babylon, N.Y.) contributed 12 points, five boards and four steals, while freshman Shannan Walker (Vestal, N.Y.) picked up nine points and led the Hawks with four assists.

Perrone pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds on the night for Mount Saint Mary, adding 10 points in her effort.  Romao led the Knights with 11 points, while Metzger also added 10 points.

Mount Saint Mary returns to Skyline play on Monday, January 7 with a trip to Purchase College.  The women's game will follow the 5:00 p.m. men's game.