POTSDAM, N.Y.—SUNY New Paltz (22-3, 18-0 SUNYAC) survived a major challenge from the SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (10-13, 8-10) before seizing a 67-56 victory on Saturday afternoon in the teams' regular season finale. Sophomore guard Jenna Cotter (Johnson City, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley) matched a career-high with 11 points along with six rebounds for the Bears. Sophomore guard Xy'El Bradford (Syracuse, N.Y./Syracuse Academy of Science) and senior guard Bella Barner (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) both reached double digits with 10 points apiece.
 
Barner got Potsdam off to a good start with a 3-pointer. Senior guard Dyamon Hunter (Bronx, N.Y./Thurgood Marshall Academy) scored with a jumper to make it 5-2 early. The Hawks finally answered with an 8-0 run, five points coming from junior guard Jenny Walton (Glenwood Landing, N.Y./North Shore). Barner tied the game with another three at 2:47 and Bradford followed with a three-point play. The Bears led 13-12 after one quarter.
 
The teams traded baskets and leads in the early minutes of the second quarter. New Paltz used an 8-1 run to break a 15-all tie. Walton hit a three at 5:37 and the Hawks led 23-16. The Bears stayed in striking distance. Cotter closed the gap to 23-22 with a layup at 1:55. Senior forward Mandy Barnell (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) scored with 19 seconds left and Potsdam trailed 28-24 at the break.
 
The Bears hung with the Hawks in the third quarter. New Paltz senior forward Victoria Venus (Manhasset, N.Y./Mineola) hit a three at 9:12 to make it a 31-24 contest. Potsdam answered with an 11-3 run, including five points from Barner and four from Bradford, and grabbed a 35-34 lead at 4:41.  A Cotter three-point play at 1:57 gave Potsdam a final lead of 40-38. A short burst, put the Hawks on top 45-42 after 30 minutes.
 
New Paltz pulled away over the fourth quarter. The Hawks opened the last 10 minutes with a 16-4 run, grabbing a 61-46 lead with 4:44 to play. New Paltz then closed out the victory at the free-throw line.
 
Hunter finished the day with nine points and Barnell had eight.
 
Walton led all scorers with 20 points. Senior guard Lexi Van Vorst (East Greenbush, N.Y./Columbia) scored 18 points for the Hawks and junior guard Brianna Fitzgerald (Dix Hills, N.Y./Island Trees) had 15 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
 
Prior to the game, the Bears honored seniors Caroline LaFountain (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga Springs), Jakia Howard (Syracuse, N.Y./Nottingham), Barner, Hunter and Barnell for their careers.