The SUNY Potsdam women’s basketball team was within striking distance early in the second half Tuesday but fell 75-43 at Skidmore in a non-conference contest in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

After trailing for the entire first half, the Bears (1-7 overall) cut their deficit to 36-26 following a 3-pointer by sophomore Katy Briedis with 18:37 to play. However, the Thoroughbreds quickly responded with a pair of 3-pointers sandwiched around a lay-up to regain the momentum and control of the game.

Skidmore (3-4) shot 14-of-30, or 46.7 percent, from 3-point range for the contest as Potsdam turned the ball over 25 times, leading to 35 Thoroughbred points.

“(Skidmore) hit 14 threes, so that was kind of our downfall,” Potsdam coach Tara Ruckh said. “We shot the ball alright, but committed too many turnovers.”

Briedis (Canton, N.Y.) posted 10 points and senior captain Aimee Kellicutt (Lisle, N.Y.) tallied six points, three rebounds and four steals for the Bears, who won’t play another game until January.

“We’re still trying to figure out who we are,” Ruckh said. “We have to make sure we’re getting good shots and taking advantage of our opportunities.”

Potsdam reserves scored nearly half the team’s points with 21 for the game, paced by freshman guard Jessica Dailey (Evans Mills, N.Y.), who had six.

The Bears return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 4, at William Smith. Tip-off in Geneva, N.Y., is slated for 5 p.m.