POTSDAM, N.Y.—Fredonia (9-7, 4-5 SUNYAC) used a big fourth quarter to rally past the SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (8-6, 3-5) for a 70-59 victory on Saturday afternoon. Junior forward
Jakia Howard (Syracuse, N.Y./Nottingham) led the Bears with a game-high 18 points and 12 rebounds. Junior guard
Madison McCormick (Heuvelton, N.Y./Heuvelton) had 11 points, five rebounds and four assists and Junior forward
Mandy Barnell (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) added 10 points, six boards and three blocks.
The first quarter saw 13 lead changes and two ties as teams were never separated by more than three points. Blue Devils senior forward Lauren Mickley (Danville, Ohio/Danville) was a force in the first quarter, scoring 12 of Fredonia's 20 points. Potsdam had more balanced scoring with four players scoring four or better. Sophomore guard
Bella Barner (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) hit two threes in the first period for six points, while McCormick and Howard each had five. Potsdam led 21-20 after 10 minutes.
The second quarter remained tight, but each team was able to build more momentum. Back-to-back layups from senior forward Morgan Davis (Allegany, N.Y./Allegany-Limestone) gave Fredonia a 27-23 at 5:56. The Bears answered with an 11-4 run, which included seven points from Howard. Barnell scored with 1:02 left and Potsdam took a 36-33 lead into the break. Barnell had five points in the second quarter.
After more close play over the first three minutes of the third quarter, Potsdam went on an 10-2 run to grab its biggest lead of the contest at 50-42 with 2:56 on the clock. Barnell had two baskets and McCormick hit a three during the stretch. However, the Blue Devils answered with an 8-3 stretch and trailed just 53-50 after three quarters. McCormick added six more points to her total and Howard had five. Fredonia senior forward Katie Pitcher (Fulton, N.Y./Hannibal) and freshman guard Jaden Sciotti (Hornell, N.Y./Hornell) each scored five.
The Blue Devils seized control of the game with a 14-0 run that spanned the first 7:53 of the fourth quarter. Sophomore guard Renee Park (Union Springs, N.Y./Union Springs) and Pitcher did all of the damage with seven points apiece. A jumper from sophomore guard
Caroline LaFountain (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga Springs) ended the drought and made it a 64-55 contests with 2:07 to play. Fredonia then put the game away from the free throw line, hitting the last five shots to close out the 70-59 win.
LaFountain finished with nine points and four steals and Barner had seven points and three rebounds.
Pitcher led the Blue Devils with 16 points and nine rebounds. Mickley scored 14 points and Park ended up with 12 points and eight rebounds.
Fredonia outrebounded Potsdam 44-39, but the Bears forced 21 Blue Devils turnovers while only giving up the ball 12 times.
Potsdam hosts Buffalo State at noon tomorrow.
