CORTLAND, N.Y.—SUNY Cortland (16-3, 11-1 SUNYAC) defeated the SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (6-10, 4-7) 75-50 on Friday evening. Senior forward Jakia Howard (Syracuse, N.Y./Nottingham) led the Bears with 15 points and sophomore guard Xy'El Bradford (Syracuse, N.Y./Syracuse Academy of Science) scored 12.
 
The teams stayed virtually even through the first four minutes. A Howard layup at 5:48 got Potsdam with in 7-6. The Red Dragons then closed the half on a 15-4 run, capped by a Maggie Malone jumper with 19 seconds left in the opening quarter. Howard and senior guard Dyamon Hunter (Bronx, N.Y./Thurgood Marshall Academy) each scored four points and sophomore guard Mikayla Shipley (North Chili, N.Y./Churchville-Chili) hit a 3-pointer.
 
Cortland opened the second quarter with a 10-1 burst to grab a 32-12 lead at 6:21. Hunter and Howard slowed the Red Dragons' momentum with back-to-back baskets. Cortland continued to outpace Potsdam and took a 44-22 lead into the break. Howard scored five more points in the second.
 
The Red Dragons continued to pull away in the third quarter. They outscored the Bears 18-12 to build a 62-34 through 30 minutes. Bradford had six points in the third and Howard added four more.
 
Potsdam saved it's best quarter for last, outscoring Cortland 16-13. Bradford and sophomore guard Zavia Jamie (New Hartford, N.Y./New Hartford) each scored five points in the fourth, but the Red Dragons closed out the 75-50 win.
 
Casey Travers scored a game-high 20 points for Cortland. Sarah Tully had 13 points and seven boards. Malone finished with 11 points and eight rebounds and Nyia Longford had 10 points and six rebounds.
 
Potsdam is back in action tomorrow afternoon when the Bears head to Oswego for a 2 p.m. matchup with the Lakers.