POTSDAM, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam women’s basketball team fought valiantly in the second half, but was ultimately defeated 60-51 against Oswego in a State University of New York Athletic Conference contest at Maxcy Hall’s Jerry Welsh Gymnasium.

Senior Aimee Kellicutt (Lisle, N.Y.) posed a career-high 23 points to go along with six rebounds and four steals for the Bears (3-19 overall, 2-13 SUNYAC), who shot 34.5 percent in the second half compared to 47.8 percent for Oswego.

The Lakers (10-13, 7-8) took control of the game with a run early in the second half, taking a 39-31 advantage with 14:10 to play. Potsdam closed the deficit to four with 11:20 left but would get no closer as Oswego made 13-of-19 from the free throw line in the period.

“We did a great job of coming back in the first half to cut it to one,” Potsdam coach Tara Ruckh said. “I thought we would make a run in the second but it never happened. We went basket for basket with (Oswego), but they just made a few more.”

Kellicutt and fellow senior captain Brittany Whitton (DeKalb, N.Y.) were recognized prior to the game in their second-to-last home contest of their careers. Whitton finished with four points, six assists and three steals.

“I thought we could have had a win today, which would have been good for our seniors,” Ruckh said. “It wasn’t for a lack of effort … I thought we just weren’t smart with the ball at times. Now we’ll just go out on Tuesday and try to get a victory over Plattsburgh.”

After trailing by as many as eight in the first half, Potsdam finished the half strong, trailing by just one heading into the locker room thanks to a 3-pointer by Kellicutt with 17 seconds on the clock.

Potsdam returns to action for its final home game of the regular season this Tuesday against Plattsburgh. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.