New Paltz (9-9) led the entire game, but the Bearcats (9-12) missed an opportunity to steal the victory in the finals seconds as a jumper from the corner missed the mark.
The Hawks from upstate New York shot the ball well early and went ahead 15-6 during the first five minutes. They connected on four 3-pointers in the opening half and were 15-for-29 in field goals (51 percent) to lead 38-33 at intermission.
Baruch struggled and worked hard to cut the advantage in the second half, but New Paltz responded each time with a key jumper or points off turnovers to keep their lead in the 4-to-6 point range.
The Bearcats did make a run in the final 1:04 and trailing by five (65-60) used solid defense to set up their final shot opportunity to win the game.
Felix Benito (Bronx, N.Y./Manhattan Center) scored off a rebound to cut the lead to three (65-62) and Ben Crane (Spring Valley, N.Y./Spring Valley) next stole the ball and scored a quick layup to get as close as one point (65-64) with 32 seconds remaining.
New Paltz had the ball and the clock on their side, but were called for an offensive foul with eight seconds. That set up Baruch with the final shot, but it did not fall through.
Carl Emengo (Brooklyn, N.Y./Canarsie) led the Bearcats with 20 points and six assists, while Phil Schatz (Middle Village, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy) scored 12 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. Laurence Smith (Harlem, N.Y./Frederick Douglass) had another all-around game with eight points, five rebounds, and two steals.
Amseshem Foluke-Henderson (Queens, N.Y./American) scored his 1,000 career point for New Paltz and led his team with 17 points and seven rebounds. Tony Canon (Brooklyn, N.Y./Millbrook) was instrumental in the victory with key baskets and rebounding to finish with a double-double of 16 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and five steals.
The Bearcats will return to action this Friday with a conference home game against CCNY. Tip-off in the ARC Arena is scheduled for 7:30 pm.