POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (9-11, 7-8 SUNYAC) were victorious over Buffalo State (2-20, 1-14 SUNYAC) 84-62 on Friday Evening at Jerry Welsh Gymnasium.  Senior forward Jakia Howard (Syracuse, N.Y./Nottingham) dropped 15 points and tallied seven rebounds to lead the Bears. Senior guard Dyamon Hunter (Bronx N.Y./ Thurgood Marshall Academy) also chipped in 15 points to compliment Howard.
 
Buffalo State opened the first quarter on a 7-3 run led by Emily Goodstal (Binghamton, N.Y./Chenango Valley) who scored four during the run. The Bears captured their first lead of the evening 14-13 at the 3:22 mark in the first. Howard netted six during the run. Both teams continued to trade baskets for the remainder of the quarter as the Bears took a 21-17 lead after one.
 
Potsdam opened the second quarter on fire hitting back-to-back three-pointers from junior guard Bella Barner (Liverpool N.Y./Liverpool) and sophomore guard Carley Hill (Essex, Vt./Rice Memorial) to extend the Bears lead to eight at the 8:55 mark. With 4:26 remaining, Potsdam claimed its largest lead of the first half 36-25 as sophomore guard Xy'El Bradford (Syracuse N.Y./Syracuse Academy of Science) nailed two free-throws. Both teams failed to gain any momentum on one another as the Bears took a 42-34 advantage into the break.
 
Potsdam came storming out of the gates to go on a 15-5 run to start the third quarter. Senior forward Mandy Barnell (Liverpool N.Y./Liverpool) and Barner both tallied three points on this run. The run gave the Bears their biggest lead of the game 57-42 with one minute remaining. Potsdam takes a 59-44 lead into the final quarter.
 
The Bengals started the fourth quarter on a 5-0 run to trim the deficit to 10. Potsdam then began to pull away from Buffalo State scoring nine unanswered points in the following two minutes to go up 66-49. Howard had two layups on the run. Junior guard Caroline LaFountain (Satatoga Srpings, N.Y./ Satatoga Srpings) hit the dagger with 31 seconds remaining to seal the home victory on Bear Pride Night.
 
Barnell ended her night with 13 points while teammate Bradford posted 12 points to round out the scoring for the Bears.
 
Sophomore forward Brianna Smith (Oakfield N.Y./Oakfield) had a game high 19 points to pace the Bengals.
 
The Bears are back in action tomorrow at 2 p.m. when they host the SUNY Fredonia Blue Devils.