NEW PALTZ, N.Y.—SUNY New Paltz (4-1, 1-0 SUNYAC) defeated the SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (2-4, 0-1) 74-42 in the teams' SUNYAC opener on Friday night. Freshman guard Bella Barner (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) matched a career-high with nine points to lead the Bears and sophomore forward Devyn Elliott (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman) had eight and six rebounds.
 
The Hawks opened the contest on 14-4 run and led Potsdam 16-8 after the first 10 minutes. Freshman forward Jakia Howard (Syracuse, N.Y./Nottingham) scored six of the Bears points and freshman guard Tsai Lewis (Cortland, N.Y./Cortland) added a layup.
 
A 3-pointer from Barner and a jumper from freshman guard Caroline LaFountain (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga Springs) gave Potsdam a 5-0 spark to start the second quarter and get the Bears within 16-13. However, New Paltz countered with a 10-0 run and led by 13 at the 3:57 mark. Maddie Van Pelt had four of the Hawks' points and Philesha Teape scored five during the run. Potsdam answered with a 10-2 stretch of its own over the last 2:55 of the half and trailed 28-23 at the break. LaFountain scored five of the points for a total of eight in the quarter.
 
After splitting the first eight points of the third quarter with the Bears, New Paltz pulled away for good. The Hawks finished the period with a 12-0 run and led 44-27 after 30 minutes.
 
New Paltz doubled up Potsdam 30-15 in the fourth quarter. Sophomore guard Dyamon Hunter (Bronx, N.Y./Thurgood Marshall Academy) scored seven points in the last 10 minutes and Barner had six on two threes.
 
LaFountain finished with seven points and personal-best nine rebounds. Hunter also scored seven and Howard had six.
 
Marion Dietz led all scorers with 16 points for the Hawks. Teape scored 10 and grabbed nine boards. Olivia Badura also scored 10, while totaling five rebounds and Van Pelt had nine points and five boards.
 
The Bears head to SUNY Oneonta tomorrow for a 2 p.m. contest with the Red Dragons.