POTSDAM, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam women’s basketball team fought valiantly to erase a halftime deficit Saturday but was defeated 57-49 against Fredonia State in a State University of New York …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
POTSDAM, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam women’s basketball team fought valiantly to erase a halftime deficit Saturday but was defeated 57-49 against Fredonia State in a State University of New York Athletic Conference contest at Maxcy Hall’s Welsh Gymnasium.
The Bears and Blue Devils shot an identical 15-of-52 (28.8 percent) clip from the field, but Fredonia outscored Potsdam 23-12 at the free throw line. The Blue Devils (3-11 overall, 1-7 SUNYAC) converted 13-for-17 in the second half to seal the win.
The Bears also surrendered 21 offensive rebounds, which led to 14 second-chance points for Fredonia.
“I was pleased with our fight in the second half,” Potsdam coach Tara Ruckh said. “We didn’t lose because of a lack of determination … we need to not allow as many offensive rebounds, especially in the first half. I was pleased with our defense, we just need to finish with rebounds. If we do that we’ll be fine.”
After trailing 27-19 at the half, the Bears (2-13, 1-7) rallied to tie the score at 31-31 following a 3-pointer by senior captain Aimee Kellicutt (Lisle, N.Y.) with 11:37 to play. Potsdam took its first lead of the game on its ensuing offensive possession after a turnaround jumper by freshman Jessica Kouzan (Webster, N.Y.).
Fredonia regained control of the contest with a 7-0 run, turning a tie game into a 44-37 lead with 5:01 remaining in the game. Kellicutt brought the Bears to within two with 51 seconds on the clock, but the Blue Devils’ Liz Wierbinski converted six consecutive free throws to close the victory.
“Offensively, we need to execute a little better, and in the first half we didn’t hit open shots,” Ruckh said. “I’m pleased with our fight in the second half … now we just need to get better at rebounding and execution.”
Senior captain Brittany Whitton (DeKalb, N.Y.) paced the Bears with 14 points and five rebounds, while Kellicutt posted 12 points and five rebounds. Sophomore Katy Briedis (Canton, N.Y.) scored seven of her 11 points in the second half.
Potsdam begins a five-game road swing on Friday, Jan. 28, at New Paltz. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. in New Paltz, N.Y.