POTSDAM, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam women’s basketball team nearly overcame a slow start Saturday but was knocked off 62-48 by SUNY Geneseo in a State University of New York Athletic Conference affair at Jerry Welsh Gymnasium.

Down by 18 at two different points in the contest, the Bears (2-9 overall, 1-3 SUNYAC) narrowed their deficit to single digits but were unable to take the lead. Potsdam held Geneseo to 35.2 percent shooting, but allowed 19 offensive rebounds, which led to 15 second-chance points. The Bears also had to battle back from a 21-6 deficit at the 12:48 mark of the first half.

“We have to come out and hit shots at the beginning (to be successful), and it didn’t work out that way,” Potsdam coach Tara Ruckh said. “We battled back in the first half but couldn’t sustain it early in the second half. Overall, I’m pleased with the way we played this weekend, but we need to limit our mistakes, particularly with turnovers and rebounding.”

Senior Brittany Whitton (DeKalb, N.Y.) hit consecutive 3-pointers to help the Bears close to a 36-26 halftime deficit. However, three straight turnovers to start the second half allowed the Blue Knights (8-2, 3-0) to slowly regain their large lead.

Potsdam would get as close as nine points, but Geneseo shot 14-of-18 from the free throw line in the second half to seal the win.

Whitton paced the Bears with 11 points, while freshman Jessica Kouzan (Webster, N.Y.) contributed with 10 points. Freshman Hannah Kmiecinski (Webster, N.Y.) was perfect from the field (2-2) and the free throw line (3-3) to finish with eight points. Potsdam shot 39 percent from the field and committed 22 turnovers, which led to 19 Geneseo points.

Potsdam resumes conference play on Friday, Jan. 14, at Oswego. Game time is set for 6 p.m. in Oswego, N.Y.