Potsdam, NY – Though the Clarkson University Women’s Basketball trailed for the entire first half and most of the second half, the Golden Knights led when it counted most, taking advantage for good with seven minutes to go and holding on for a 73-57 victory over Potsdam State Tuesday evening at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Golden Knights improved to 3-1 overall on the season and will play at Morrisville State on Thursday. Potsdam dropped to 2-3 on the campaign.

The Bears scored on their first possession and led throughout the first half, enjoying a 10-0 lead before Clarkson finally got on the scoreboard with a free throw. Potsdam employed a full-court press that didn’t necessarily create many turnovers, but pushed Clarkson into making hasty decisions and forcing poor shots. It wasn’t until late that the Knights were finally able to get on track offensively, as the team shot just 10-for-32 from the field in the opening 20 minutes, including 9-for-27 inside the 3-point arc. Potsdam wasn’t considerably better, but the Bears limited themselves to just four turnovers compared to Clarkson’s 10.

Jessica Kouzan led the Bears in the first half with eight points, while Katy Briedis added in a solid all-around effort with seven points, four rebounds, three steals and three assists. For Clarkson, Leighann Tomita (Cerritos, CA) tossed in seven points and Taliah Pounds (Watervliet, NY) contributed five points and eight rebounds, including six on the offensive end.

Starting the second half, Clarkson and Potsdam exchanged mini-runs, as the Knights crawled back to within five points, only to fall back behind nine a few moments later. After Clarkson came back to within three to force a Potsdam timeout, the Bears Carli Reynolds made a 3-pointer from the top of the key at the 10-minute mark to return Potsdam’s advantage to two possessions.

Following a 3-point play from Chrissy Scanlon

(Queensbury, NY) at the 6:51 mark, Clarkson took a 51-50 lead and would not relinquish the advantage for the remainder of the game, rolling off a 22-6 run thanks to Leighann Tomita’s sharp-shooting from the free throw line. The freshman guard missed only the front end on a two-shot foul and made 13 of 14 attempts in the game.

Tomita finished with a season-high 21 points, adding in five rebounds and four assists. Senior Chrissy Scanlon finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while classmate Carey Turner (Clifton Park, NY) added in 13 points and seven rebounds. Katy Briedis finished with 16 points for the Bears and Jessica Kouzan ended with 10 points before fouling out of the contest.

Clarkson ended the game with a 54-33 edge in rebounds and held the Bears to just 21.4 percent (6-for-28) shooting in the second half.