GENESEO, N.Y. - SUNY Geneseo junior guard Terrance Nichols scored a game-high 23 points and sophomore forward Alex Merhige added a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double as the Knights defeated State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) foe New Paltz, 62-58, Saturday at Schrader Gym.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Geneseo fell behind early, trailing by as many as nine points in the first half, but the Knights battled back to within five points with back-to-back layups from Merhige and Nichols as they cut the lead to 32-27 at halftime.
• The Knights drew even with 16:!5 remaining in the game when Nichols finished a driving layup to make it 33-33 and first-year guard Michael Gannon drilled a corner three to give the Knights a 36-33 lead on the next offensive possession. 
• Geneseo expanded their lead with an 11-3 run as senior guard Zack Panebianco finished a three-point play to put the Knights ahead, 47-36, with 11:14 to play. 
• The Knights held New Paltz to just one field goal over the first 12 minutes of the second half, growing their lead to as many as 12 points. 
• New Paltz used a 10-0 run to draw within two points with 3:41 to play, but the Knights finished the game 9-for-10 from the free throw line in the final three miuntes to seal the victoy.

QUICK FACTS

• Panebianco finished with 10 points while senior forward Jack Manke notched six points, six rebounds and three assists. 
• The Knights held New Paltz to a season-low 18.5% (5-for-27) shooting from beyond the arc.
• Geneseo attempted a season-low seven three-pointers, coverting two of them. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

Geneseo travels to Buffalo State on Tuesday, Feb. 5 for another SUNYAC contest against the Bengals.