ALBANY, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (3-1) defeated Russell Sage College (1-3) 60-51 on Tuesday afternoon on the road. Graduate student forward Jakia Howard (Syracuse, N.Y./Nottingham) led the Bears with another double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds. Junior guard Carley Hill (Essex, Vt./Rice Memorial) was red hot from long distance, draining five of the seven 3-pointers she took for a career-high 15 points.
 
Howard exploded for 12 of the Bears 17 points in the first quarter as Potsdam built a 17-14 lead. Junior guards Xy'El Bradford (Syracuse, N.Y./Syracuse Academy of Science) and Zavia Jaime (New Hartford, N.Y./New Hartford) had three and two points, respectively.
 
Howard and Hill continued to dominate, scoring all 24 points for Potsdam in the second quarter, while the defense held the Gators to just eight points. Howard had another 12 points, including two threes. Hill was a perfect four-for-four from beyond the arc for 12 points. The Bears led 41-22 at the break.
 
Russell Sage surged back in the third quarter, outscoring Potsdam 15-5 and trailed just 46-37 after 30 minutes. Bradford had three points for the Bears and junior guard Mikayla Shipley (North Chili, N.Y./Churchville-Chili) added a bucket.
 
The Gators gained no more ground in the final 10 minutes as Potsdam matched them point-for-point in a 14-14 fourth quarter. Bradford led the way with seven more points, including four from the charity stripe. Howard and junior forward Jenna Cotter (Johnson City, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley) each had two points.
 
Layla Acosta had 19 points and 11 boards and Aniyah Kelley added 13 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Gators.
 
The Bears shot nearly 40 percent from the floor while holding Russell Sage to just 27.1. The Gators outrebounded Potsdam 48-39.
 
Potsdam is now off for a week until they head across town to face Clarkson University on November 28, at 5 p.m.