POTSDAM, N.Y.—SUNY Oneonta (17-7, 12-5 SUNYAC) overcame an early deficit to defeat the SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (10-12, 8-9) 70-57 on Friday evening. Senior forward
Jakia Howard (Syracuse, N.Y./Nottingham) had a game-high 17 points along with seven rebounds for the Bears. Senior forward
Mandy Barnell (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) matched a career-high with 15 points and senior guard
Dyamon Hunter (Bronx, N.Y./Thurgood Marshall Academy) added 10 points.
The Bears got off to a 6-0 start and led 11-4 at 7:48. Howard scored five of the points. Sophomore forward Amanda Zuntag (Staten Island, N.Y./Notre Dame Academy) got the Red Dragons within 13-11 with a layup at 5:10, but sophomore guard
Carley Hill (Essex, Vt./Rice Memorial) answered with a three and sophomore forward
Jenna Cotter (Johnson City, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley) added a layup for an 18-11 lead at 2:35. Potsdam led 18-13 after 10 minutes.
Oneonta caught up in the second quarter, outscoring the Bears 20-13. A five-point charge evened the game at 8:43. The teams traded leads the rest of the half, but a Zuntag jumper at 1:28 sent the Red Dragons into the locker room with a 33-31 lead. Howard scored seven more in the second.
Oneonta continued to pull away in the third quarter. A jumper from Barnell got Potsdam within 39-37 at 5:16, but the Bears couldn't get even. Junior guard
Bella Barner (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) hit a three to close the gap to 47-44 at 2:29. However, Oneonta closed the third on a 7-0 run and led 54-44 after 30 minutes. Barnell had six points.
The Red Dragons kept Potsdam at arm's length in the final quarter, never allowing the Bears within 11 points. Howard scored five more points, but Oneonta closed out the 13-point win.
Senior guard Olivia Dobrovosky (Skaneateles, N.Y./Skaneateles) posted a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebound for Oneonta. Senior guard Meg Nardelli (Wappingers Falls, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham) had 14 points, while Zuntag and junior guard Molly Stephens (LaGrange, N.Y./Arlington) each scored 10.
The Bears wrap up the regular season tomorrow at 2 p.m. when they host SUNY New Paltz on Senior Day.
