NEW PALTZ, N.Y.—SUNY New Paltz (18-6, 14-4 SUNYAC) overcame an early deficit and held the lead most of the way in a 69-56 victory over the SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (12-12, 7-11) on Saturday afternoon. The loss combined with Fredonia's 68-60 win at Oswego ended the Bears playoff hopes.
 
Junior guard Dyamon Hunter (Bronx, N.Y./Thurgood Marshall Academy) led Potsdam with 15 points and junior forward Jakia Howard (Syracuse, N.Y./Nottingham) had 14. Junior guard Madison McCormick (Heuvelton, N.Y./Heuvelton) and junior forward Mandy Barnell (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) each scored nine.
 
Hunter hit a three at 7:53 of the first quarter to give the Bears their lone lead of the contest at 5-3, but the Hawks quickly jumped back in front and never gave up the lead. A 7-0 run punctuated by a Cassidy Deaver three gave New Paltz a 10-5 advantage at 6:25. Brianna Fitzgerald hit a jumper for the Hawks at 4:13 to give them their biggest lead of the quarter at 14-8. The Bears trailed 17-12 after one quarter. Hunter and McCormick each had five points.
 
Potsdam opened the second quarter on 7-2 run. Senior forward Alyson Crosby (Brier Hill, N.Y./Hammond) scored on a layup at 7:10 to get Potsdam within 20-19. The Hawks then closed the quarter on a 10-4 run and led 30-23 at the half. Barnell scored six points in the quarter.
 
A 3-pointer from Graci Serravillo to open the third quarter extended the New Paltz lead to 33-23. Potsdam answered with a 7-2 burst. Howard scored at 6:31 and the Bears were down just 35-30. Lexi Van Vorst countered with a three and the Hawks regained the momentum. Abby Korzekwinski scored on a layup with 1:14 left in the quarter to give New Paltz a 13-point advantage. The Hawks led 48-37 after 30 minutes. Hunter and Howard added five more points apiece during the period.
 
The Bears offense revved up in the final quarter, but they were outpaced by New Paltz's scoring and the Hawks continued to increase their lead. Fitzgerald hit two free throws at 7:08 to give the Hawks their biggest lead of the contest at 59-42. Potsdam was able to gain some ground in the final minutes, but ran out of time. Howard scored seven in the last 10 minutes and Hunter scored five.
 
Fitzgerald led New Paltz with 15 points and nine rebounds. Korzekwinski finished with 12 points and nine boards. Van Vorst and Serravillo each scored 11.
 
The contest brings to a close the career of Potsdam's lone senior, Alyson Crosby.
 
The Bears' 12 overall victories are the most since they won 17 in 2008-09. Their seven SUNYAC wins are the most since the program won seven in 2009-10.