ITHACA -- The SUNY Potsdam women’s basketball team played a solid first half Sunday but was unable to sustain its effectiveness in a 65-41 loss to Ithaca in a non-conference contest.

After freshman Hannah Kmiecinski (Webster, N.Y.) nailed a 3-pointer to put the Bears (1-3) up 26-24 at the half, the two teams exchanged baskets to open the second before Ithaca took advantage of a bevy of Potsdam turnovers to open up a 49-34 lead at the 6:15 mark.

For the game, the Bombers (2-2) outscored the Bears 26-7 off turnovers and 12-0 on fast break points.

Potsdam finished the game with 25 turnovers, including 15 in the second half, and shot just 18.2 percent in the second period.

Ithaca, on the other hand, shot 53.8 percent in the second after the Bears held it to just 28.1 in the first.

“We got the turnover bug in the second half, and they took advantage in the fast break,” Potsdam coach Tara Ruckh said. “We limited their good shots in the first half, but they made them in the second half. “We’re not putting together a 40-minute game right now. We’ll be OK, we just have to get better as a team from the mistakes we’re making.”

Sophomore Katy Briedis (Canton, N.Y.) paced the Bears with 10 points and two steals. Senior captain Aimee Kellicutt (Lisle, N.Y.) added nine points, while juniors Kaley Arsenault (Syracuse, N.Y.) and Alicia Bradberry (Sandy Creek, N.Y.) grabbed a team-high six rebounds apiece.

Potsdam returns to the floor Tuesday at Clarkson. Tip-off against the cross-town rival is set for 6 p.m.