GENESEO, N.Y. – The Geneseo men’s basketball team (17-9) advanced to the semifinals of the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) playoffs, blistering visiting New Paltz (11-15) 98-80 in a quarterfinal game. The third-seeded Knights will face second-seeded Plattsburgh Friday at 6 p.m. in a semifinal game hosted by top seed Cortland.

Geneseo shot a school-record 74.0 percent from the floor, making 37 of their 50 shots. Their field-goal percentage is the highest recorded by a Division III team this year, topping the previous season-high of 73.5 percent, which was also by Geneseo (in a November win at D’Youville). The Knights rank seventh nationally in field-goal accuracy.

Sophomore forward Gordon Lyons (Buffalo/Canisius) led the Knights with 22 points and eight rebounds. He made nine of his 10 shots from the field and recorded a career-best four assists. Junior guard Connor Fedge (Bellport/Bellport) added 18 points – shooting eight-for-10 – and contributed three assists.

Junior guard Thomas Decker (White Plains/Archbishop Stepanic) scored 15 points and junior guard Jordan Jones (Rochester/McQuaid) added 13.

The Knights made their first 12 shots to open the game and New Paltz nearly matched them, making 11 of 14 over the first 10 minutes. There were 16 lead changes in that span with Geneseo taking the lead for good on a lay-up by sophomore guard Andy Drescher (Fayetteville/Christian Brothers Academy) with 9:49 left in the half. The Hawks closed to within a point twice more in the opening period, then were outscored 8-2 after intermission as the Knights stretched their lead to 10.

New Paltz’ last rally came thanks to a 12-4 run that cut Geneseo’s lead to 59-57 with 12:24 to go. Sophomore forward James McKenna (Huntingdon/St. Anthony’s) hit three-point baskets on consecutive possessions to push the Knights’ lead back to eight and Geneseo pulled away.

Riefenhauser pulled down eight rebounds and led the Knights with five assists and two steals. Junior forward Matt Curry (Greenlawn/Harborfields) finished with six points, five rebounds and a career-high three assists.

Geneseo and Plattsburgh split their games this year, with each team posting a home win.

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