Hall scores career-high 27 points, T’Wolves start new year with win over Herkimer
In its first contest in 17 days, SUNY Niagara returned to its home court and recorded an 88-61 win over Herkimer College Tuesday in Sanborn. The Thunderwolves took a 20-10 lead with 7 minutes, 38 seconds left in the second quarter and held a double-digit lead the rest of the game and are now 9-6 on the season.
Azriel Hall scored a career-high 27 points on 11-of-14 shooting and was one of three players (Isabella Karabetsos, Alana Rivers) to record two 3-pointers to lead the Thunderwolves offensively. The freshman also recorded five rebounds and a game-high four steals.
Isabella Karabetsos finished with 16 points on 7-of-16 shooting and had a game-high nine assists plus six rebounds and two steals. Shania Beylo scored eight of her new season-high 15 points in the second half.
Alana Rivers had 12 points and nine rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench. Anna Astre had nine points and four rebounds and Atarah Walker had seven points and nine rebounds.
SUNY Niagara shot 35-of-81 (43.2%) from the field, 7-of-18 (38.9%) from the 3-point line and 11-of-18 (61.1%) from the free-throw line. The Thunderwolves scored 52 points in the paint, 27 points off turnovers and had 17 second-chance points.
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With the 27 points, Hall established a new career-high and recorded her seventh 20-point game of the season. Hall’s previous high was 24 points against St. Clair CC on Nov. 13. Hall has now finished in double-figure scoring in all 15 of SUNY Niagara’s contests this season. Hall is averaging a team-high 18.9 points per contest and, following Monday’s contest, is ranked tied with North Arkansas College’s Keely Blanchard for 20th among all NJCAA Division II players.
With the game-high nine assists, Karabetsos recorded her ninth game of the season with at least five in a contest and the 29th time overall. Karabetsos is now sixth in total assists among all NJCAA Division II players with 85, trailing only Pima CC’s Melicia Nelson (109), Janiah Suprius (107), Rock Valley College’s Deniya Gary (100), Delta College’s Damaya Hartwick (99) and Harcum College’s Tayla Barros (93).
Karabetsos’ 16 points against the Generals marked her seventh game in double-digit scoring this season and the 23rd time in her Thunderwolves career. Karabetsos finished two points shy of her season-high of 18 points (Nov. 2 at Harcum College). In 47 career games, Karabetsos has 488 points (10.4 per contest) and 276 career assists (5.9 per contest).
Beylo established a new career-high for a second time in as many games with her 15 points against Herkimer. Beylo posted 14 points in SUNY Niagara’s last outing against Lorain County CC on Dec. 20. Beylo is averaging 7.7 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists this season.
Rivers posted her fourth game of the season in double-digit scoring with 12 points off the bench and the third time in her last six games and fourth time this season. Rivers scored a career-high 20 points in SUNY Niagara’s season-opening 112-48 win versus Lackawanna College on Nov. 1. Rivers also posted career bests in offensive rebounds (4) and total rebounds (9). Rivers has recorded at least five rebounds in six games this season.
Walker finished with nine rebounds and recorded her 11th game with at least seven rebounds this season. Walker is currently ranked tied for 68th in rebounds per game (8.9) among all NJCAA Division II players. Including the seven points against Herkimer Monday, Walker has recorded 359 points (8.3 per game) and 380 rebounds (8.8 per game) and nine career double-doubles in 43 appearances.
The Thunderwolves recorded 15 assists in the win and are now 8-2 when they post at least 15 in a game. SUNY Niagara has also recorded double-digit assists in each of its last four games.
SUNY Niagara continues its season at Lakeland Community College at 5 p.m. Monday in Ohio.