Box Score POTSDAM, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team put forth a solid effort Monday night, but was defeated 66-48 against Utica in the season-opener for both teams at Welsh Gymnasium.

Senior guard Aimee Kellicutt recorded 19 points, four assists and four steals to lead the Bears (0-1), who were unable to slow the high-low game of the Pioneers and fell victim to Utica's full-court pressure. Potsdam turned the ball over 28 times and allowed the Pioneers to shoot 51 percent from the field.

Utica (1-0), which received votes in the D3hoops.com Top 25 Preseason poll and made the second round of last season's NCAA Tournament, was led by All-American Jessica Berry, who recorded 25 points and 14 rebounds.

“Utica is a very good team,” Potsdam coach Tara Ruckh said. “We got punched in the mouth coming out, but bounced back. We needed to hold on, but we couldn't. We had some untimely turnovers and could have been better defensively.”

In the first half, the Bears offense was stymied by the Pioneers' full-court pressure, and Utica shot 60.9 percent from the field compared to 44.4 percent for Potsdam. After falling behind 26-11 at the 8:06 mark, the Bears rallied to cut the deficit to 31-24 with 3:02 to play after a 3-pointer by freshman Jessica Kouzan (Webster, N.Y.), who totaled seven points and four rebounds in the frame.

The Pioneers pulled away in the second half, taking a 51-28 lead, their largest margin to that point, with 12:12 to go in the second half. Potsdam cut the lead to 58-46 with 6:20 to play, but was unable to string together more scoring possessions.

“I told the team after the game that I care about what we do, not the score,” Ruckh said. “We need to get better at the little things. The good thing is that it's a non-conference game against a good opponent, so we're learning.”

Sophomore Katy Briedis (Canton, N.Y.) added eight points for Potsdam.

The Bears return to the floor Wednesday against local rival St. Lawrence. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. at Welsh Gymnasium.