POTSDAM, N.Y.—In the midst of a four-game skid and down by five with three minutes to go, the SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (9-6, 4-5 SUNYAC) found a way and defeated Buffalo State (8-7, 4-4) 58-55 on Sunday afternoon. Junior guard
Madison McCormick (Heuvelton, N.Y./Heuvelton) led the Bears with 19 points and five rebounds and junior forward
Jakia Howard (Syracuse, N.Y./Nottingham) added 13 points and eight rebounds.
The Bengals opened the contest with the first five points, but Potsdam outscored them 10-2 over the next four minutes for a 10-7 lead at 4:24. McCormick scored six of the points, including a 3-pointer. The momentum then swung back in Buffalo State's direction with an 8-2 stretch for a 15-12 Bengals lead at 1:22. Buffalo State sophomore center Brianna Smith hit two jumpers in the burst. Bears freshman forward
Jenna Cotter (Johnson City, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley) scored on a layup with 37 seconds remaining and the Bengals led 15-14 after one quarter.
Buffalo State senior guard Katie Villarini (Hamburg, N.Y./Hamburg) scored at 8:29 of the second quarter to open up a 20-14 advantage. Potsdam junior forward
Jakia Howard (Syracuse, N.Y./Nottingham) made the most of a 3-point play at 7:45 and McCormick connected from long range at 6:54 to tie the score. Six more points from Villarini in a 9-3 run gave Buffalo State a 29-23 lead with 47 seconds left in the half. McCormick scored in the last three seconds and Potsdam was down 29-25 at the break.
The Bears rallied to tie the contest at 31 all on a McCormick Layup 1:32 into the third quarter, but couldn't grab the lead. Howard scored at 5:35 to get Potsdam within 36-35 but Buffalo State scored eight of the last nine points of the quarter and led 44-36 heading into the final 10 minutes. McCormick scored four points during the quarter.
The Bears opened the fourth red hot, outscoring the Bengals 9-0 to take a 45-44 lead with 7:44 to play. McComick hit a three to cap the run. After two minutes of physical, scoreless play, sophomore Shawni Cornfield (Gowanda, N.Y./Putham) briefly put the Bengals back in front. However, Howard scored back-to-back buckets and Potsdam led 49-46 with 4:19 left. Buffalo State had another run in them and an 8-0 stretch gave them a 54-49 advantage at 3:11. With their backs against the wall, sophomore guard
Bella Barner (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) drained a crucial 3-pointer to close within three. At 1:03, Howard drove to the basket, scored and was fouled. She missed a chance to tie the game from the line, but stole the ball away to keep Potsdam in the game. Junior forward
Alyson Crosby (Brier Hill, N.Y./Hammond, N.Y.) was then fouled and hit both free throws to give the Bears the 56-55 lead with 18 seconds to play. Potsdam forced another turnover seven seconds later and a foul sent freshman guard
Mikayla Shipley (North Chili, N.Y./Churchville-Chili) to the line. The freshman hit both shots with nine seconds on the clock to extend the lead to 58-55. The Bengals missed a three with a chance to tie with three seconds left and Potsdam held on for the win.
Villarini led Buffalo State with 23 points and six rebounds. Cornfield finished with nine points and five boards.
Potsdam is now tied for sixth place in the SUNYAC with SUNY Geneseo, but a half game out of fifth behind Fredonia and a game out of fourth behind Buffalo State.
The Bears are back in action next Friday when they battle SUNY Geneseo on the road at 5:30 p.m.
