FREDONIA, N.Y. -- The Fredonia State women's basketball team dropped a 71-53 contest to New Paltz on Saturday. Tied at the half, the Hawks gradually pulled away for the victory. Payton Gilbert led the Devils with 14 points and Grace Alexander added 11. Mary Culeton led the team with nine rebounds and six assists.

After one quarter, New Paltz held a 17-12 lead.

Fredonia State would come back in the second quarter, eventually taking the lead right before the end of the half. An 11-2 run gave them a 29-27 lead. However, New Paltz squeezed in one more basket before the half to tie the game at 29. Gilbert led all scorers with 11 points on 4-4 shooting. 

New Paltz would pull away late in the third. Clinging to a 33-32 lead, they went on a 15-4 run to go up 12 points and take control of the game. 

New Paltz held a 31-29 edge in rebounds. Their defense caused 23 Blue Devil turnovers.

The team heads to Cortland on Tuesday for a women's/men's doubleheader.