New Paltz Wins 2026 SUNYAC Women's Basketball Title
NEW PALTZ, N.Y. - Top-seeded New Paltz wins the 2026 SUNYAC women's basketball championship after defeating No. 2 Cortland, 56-52, Saturday. This is the Hawks eighth overall conference crown. With the win New Paltz earned an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
Brianna Fitzgerald was named the SUNYAC Women's Basketball Tournament MVP after totaling 34 points, 20 rebounds, eight steals, six assists and four blocks in two playoff wins for the Hawks.
Elite 20
An award modeled after the NCAA ELITE 90 program, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the conference championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers.
The SUNYAC presented the Women's Basketball Elite 20 Award to Plattsburgh's Desiree DuBois before the semifinal game on Friday. DuBois is a sophomore Biomedical sciences with a 4.0 overall GPA.
2026 SUNYAC Women's Basketball All-Tournament Team
Julia Greek, Plattsburgh
Brooke Tillotson, Cortland
Kaeli McAnnally, Cortland
Karly Wittenbauer, New Paltz
Hannah Vanderzee, New Paltz
MVP - Brianna Fitzgerald, New Paltz
Team Stats
| Game Statistics | Cortland | New Paltz |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (19-44) | (22-52) |
| Field Goal % | 43.2% | 42.3% |
| Rebounds | 24 | 21 |
| Assists | 8 | 11 |
| Turnovers | 20 | 8 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 6 | 16 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 9 | 12 |
| Pts in the Paint | 32 | 36 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 2 | 11 |
| Bench Pts | 0 | 0 |
