POTSDAM, N.Y.- A strong second half scoring effort pushed the Oswego State Lakers (3-10, 1-5 SUNYAC) past the SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (1-12, 0-6 SUNYAC) Saturday afternoon at Max Ziel Gymnasium. The Lakers held on to defeat the Bears 59-40. Freshman guard Abbey Smith (Bainbridge, N.Y./Bainbridge-Guilford) finished with six points and two steals to lead the Bears, while Tayler Sorell scored 25 points for Oswego.
 
Oswego opened with two 3-pointers and a layup before Potsdam got on the board with a three from senior forward Katie LaVoie (Malone, N.Y./Franklin Academy). As play continued, the Bears went on a mini 11-7 run that was capped with a layup from junior guard Laura Coleman (Manhattan, N.Y./Opportunity Charter). Potsdam was down by one going into the second quarter.
 
The next 10 minutes of play was low scoring with 11 points from the Lakers and 7 from the Bears. Oswego took the 26-21 lead into the locker room.
 
The Lakers offense ignited after halftime with a 10-0 run to start the third. At 7:02 minute mark, Smith drained a three to slow Oswego, but they answered again with an 8-2 run to extend their lead. With one minute to go in the third quarter, freshman guard Breanne Sapp (Potsdam, N.Y./Potsdam) hit from behind the arch to start an 8-0 run that carried over into the final quarter of play.
 
Oswego picked up the scoring once again following the Bears run with nine straight points. Potsdam continued to battle, but were unable to find their offensive rhythm. The Lakers took the 59-40 win.
 
Junior guard Meghan Driscoll (Troy, N.Y./Troy), freshman guard Janay Smith (Bronx, N.Y./Wings Academy), LaVoie and Coleman each finished with five points for Potsdam and freshman forward Victoria Shopovick (White Plains, N.Y./Maria Regina) grabbed eight rebounds. Two players for the Lakers finished just short of double-doubles on the afternoon, including Mary Mazzella with 14 points and eight rebounds and Zana Dillard with eight points and 17 boards.
 
Oswego held the advantage in rebounds over the Bears, 45-34.
 
Potsdam will host SUNY Plattsburgh Tuesday night at Jerry Welsh Gymnasium at 5:30 p.m.