POTSDAM – The SUNY Potsdam women’s basketball team (1-20, 0-14 SUNYAC) hosted SUNY Geneseo (16-5, 12-3 SUNYAC) for Bear Pride Night and a Pink Out on Friday.

Freshman forward Katie Lavoie (Malone, N.Y. / Franklin Academy) led the Bears with eight points in a 74-33 loss.

Potsdam found themselves down 6-0 within the first two minutes of the contest. Sophomore forward Margaret Wall (Churchville, N.Y. / Aquinas Institute) would get the Bears on the board first at the 17:52 mark with a 15-foot jump shot.

The Knights continued to roll under the basket and extended the lead to five with 16:38 remaining.

Senior guard Katy Briedis (Canton, N.Y. / Cushing Academy) would answer as back-to-back baskets brought the Bears within two points.

However, sophomore forward Shannon McGinnis (Walworth/Gananda) stopped the Potsdam momentum with a layup to spark a 19-5 run over the next eight minutes.

McGinnis would cap off the huge spurt with three-point basket at the 8:38 mark to increase the deficit to 16 points. Potsdam tried to cut the lead but McGinnis added another three with 24 ticks left in the half to give the Knights a 40-21 advantage at the break.

Geneseo continued where they left off in the first half. Potsdam would go on a nine minute scoring drought to open the final stanza.

A quick layup by freshman forward Allison McKenna (Huntington/John Glenn) 20 second into the second half started an 18-0 run for the Knights. The Bears would continue to fight in front of the home crowd.

Yet, Geneseo was able to cruise to a 74-33 victory.

Potsdam struggled from the floor, shooting 25% and 15% from the three-point line.

Geneseo hit 58% of their field goals and 54% from beyond the arc. The Knights totaled 44 rebounds to the Bears’ 23. Junior guard Chenice Russell (Moira, N.Y. / Brushton-Moira) and Briedis each finished with six points. McGinnis led the Knights with 17 points and eight rebounds.

Senior guard Melissa Graham (Orchard Park/Mt. Mercy) added a double-double performance with 12 points and 11 rebounds. McKenna totaled 10 points and seven boards.

The Bears are back in action today when they host The College at Brockport at 2 p.m. in Welsh Gymnasium.