POTSDAM, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (3-3) squared off with crosstown rival Clarkson University (1-2) on Tuesday night. The Bears led from start to finish, closing out the night with a 74-63 victory. The win was the first over the Golden Knights since 2009. Four players recorded double-digit points for the Bears in a solid team win.
 
Sophomore center Naya Walters (Bronx, N.Y. Women's Academy of Excellence) recorded the first three points of the game, followed by two points from freshman guard Dyamon Hunter (Bronx, N.Y./Thurgood Marshall Academy) to give the Bears the quick 5-0 lead. Hannah Earl got Clarkson back into the fight with four straight points to make it 5-4. The Bears quickly responded with a 3-pointer from Hunter and six consecutive points from sophomore forward Nicole Hansen (Fulton, N.Y./G. Ray Bodley) to regain their lead and close out the quarter with the score 14-8.
 
Clarkson started the second quarter hot, scoring six straight points to tie the game at 14. After a Bears timeout, the teams exchanged scoreless defensive possessions. Senior guard Abbey Smith (Bainbridge, N.Y./ Bainbridge-Guilford) followed up the sequence with a four-point play for the Bears. Scoring would go back-and-forth for the remainder of the quarter. Strong defense from Potsdam and cold shooting by the Golden Knights helped the Bears hold on to a 28-23 lead at the half.
 
Senior guard Rylie Luckie (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Ogdensburg) opened the scoring in the second half with her first bucket of the night. Smith and freshman forward Devyn Elliot (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman) followed up with back-to-back baskets to give the Bears a 10-point lead. Clarkson hit a 3-pointer to push back, but the Bears followed up immediately with two more baskets. After another 3-pointer from Clarkson, the score stood at 46-33 Potsdam. Clarkson continued to battle and a 7-2 run made it 48-40 Bears at the end of the third quarter.
 
The Golden Knights opened the final stanza with a 3-pointer by Carly Assimon, but couldn't close the gap despite an effective press. Scoring by both teams would continue for several minutes, as the score climbed to 57-53 at the midpoint of the final quarter. In the final minutes, the Bears kept Clarkson at arm's length with solid defense and free throws to secure the 74-63 win.
 
The Bears success was largely due to their strong shooting from the field (50.9 percent) and their excellent defensive play. Hunter finished the game with 18 points, while Elliot pitched in 16 and seven rebounds. Hansen and Walters added 13 and 10 points, respectively. Assimon paced the Golden Knights with 16 points.
 
The Bears open SUNYAC play with a matchup against SUNY Oneonta this Friday night, Bear Pride Night, at 5:30 p.m.