CORTLAND, N.Y.- Katy Briedis scored 20 of her game high 22 points in the second half as the Bears recorded an impressive road victory at Cortland, 62-54. Potsdam (3-4, 1-1 SUNYAC) converted on 13-of-14 free throws and shot 44 percent from the three point line in the victory.

The two teams traded baskets for the first ten minutes before the Bears used a 10-0 run to take a 21-12 lead. Sophomore Hannah Kmiecinski sparked the run with two three pointers. She would knock down each of her first three attempts from behind the arc while the Red Dragons (5-2, 1-1) went 1-of-14 from long range in the half. The lone three was with 41 seconds left and cut the Bears lead to 25-23 which they would take into the locker room.

Both teams came out of the half ready to play and Cortland’s Micki Volpini hit two free throws to give the Red Dragons a 31-30 lead with 15:03 left. It was Corland’s first lead since the 9:43 mark of the first half. Potsdam would wrestle the lead right back less than two minutes later on a Jessica Kouzan jumper at 34-33. After a three pointer gave Cortland a 38-36 lead, the Bears defense would hold the Red Dragons without a field goal for 8:52. Offensively, Briedis and Kmiecinski buried consecutive threes to give Potsdam a 44-38 lead with 8:04 left. Kmiecinski’s fifth three-pointer of the day capped an 11-0 run to give the Bears a 49-38 lead with 6:15 left. Potsdam would build the lead to as big as 13 before pulling out the eight point victory.

Briedis was a perfect 10-10 from the free throw line while adding seven rebounds and five assists. Kmiecinski finished 5-9 from long range and scored 18 points and Kouzan added 12 points and grabbed five boards.

Defensively, the Bears were superb. Cortland came into the game averaging 74 points a game and shooting a SUNYAC-best 38.7 percent from three point land. They finished the game 20 points under their average and shot 4-30 (13.3%) from the arc.

“I’m really pleased with how we played today,” said Head Coach Tara Ruckh. “We played with great effort and were solid on both ends of the floor. We were really focused and played with energy for 40 minutes. “

The Bears return to action Tuesday night when they travel to Oneonta for a 6 p.m. tip off.