POTSDAM, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (10-13, 8-10 SUNYAC) will travel to SUNY Oneonta (18-7, 13-5 SUNYAC) for the first round of the SUNYAC Playoffs tomorrow evening. The sixth-seeded Bears will battle the third-seeded Red Dragons at 5:30 p.m.

Seventh-year head coach Brittany Cohen and her assistant coach Michael Busby have guided Potsdam to its first postseason appearance in 14 years.

The Bears are averaging 59.3 points-per-game this season. Senior forward Jakia Howard (Syracuse, N.Y./Nottingham) led the Bears in scoring and rebounding with 16.2 ppg. and 8.3 rebounds-per-game. She ranked first and fourth in the SUNYAC in those categories, respectively. Howard registered six double-doubles and was named conference player of the week. Senior guard Dyamon Hunter (Bronx, N.Y./Thurgood Marshall Academy) is averaging 11.2 ppg. Earlier in the season, Hunter became the seventh player in program history to reach the coveted 1,000-point mark and is currently second on the program's all-time scoring list with 1,208 points career points. To compliment Howard, senior forward Mandy Barnell (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) was solid for the Bears in the paint. She was second on the team with 5.1 rpg. and chipped in 6.7 ppg. Sophomore guards Xy'El Braford (Syracuse, N.Y./Syracuse Academy of Science) and Carley Hill (Rice Memorial/Essex, Vt.) were key role players in the Bears success this season. Braford averaged 7.1 ppg. and proved to be one of the better defenders, tallying 32 steals. Hill, a transfer from DII LeMoyne College, sank 28 three-pointers this season, shooting 32.9 percent from beyond the arc.

Sophomore guard Mikayla Shipley (North Chili, N.Y./Churchville-Chili) was a sound playmaker off the bench for the Bears this season. She dished off 62 assists and posted 31 steals for Potsdam, which ranks second and third on the team, respectively. Junior guard Bella Barner (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) provided additional 3-point shooting for the Bears, hitting 23 threes. Sophomore forward Jenna Cotter (Johnson City, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley) increased her production off the bench. Cotter scored 5.7 ppg. and grabbed 4.7 rpg. to provide relief to Barnell during games. Despite being hampered by an injury for the majority of the season, junior guard Caroline LaFountain (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga Springs) continued to provide the veteran presence that the Bears needed.

The Red Dragons have surged into the postseason, winning six out of their final eight contests. Oneonta is averaging 57.5 ppg. and holding its opponents to 49.7. Olivia Dobrovosky is leading the way with 11.2 ppg. and 6.8 rpg. Meg Nardelli is scoring 8.8 ppg. and Molly Stephens is contributing 6.3. Jenna Harclerode is scoring 6.2 a game while Amanda Zuntag rounds out the leaders with 6.1.

The Red Dragons swept the teams' two meetings this season. Oneonta claimed a 63-53 victory at home on December 2. Dobrovosky put up 16 points with nine rebounds, while Nardelli and Harclerode added 11 points each. Zuntag scored eight points and Stephens posted nine. Hunter led the Bears with 19 points and seven rebounds on the night and Howard had 10 points to compliment her teammate. In Jerry Welsh Gymnasium last Friday night, Oneonta held off Potsdam to secure a 70-57 victory. Dobrovosky scored 16 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Nardelli added 11 points with Stephens and Zuntag both chipping in 10. Howard paced the Bears with 17 points and seven rebounds. Barnell and Hunter scored 15 and 10, respectively.

The Red Dragons own a four-game win streak against the Bears currently. Potsdam has never faced Oneonta in the SUNYAC Tournament.

Should the Bears advance to the semifinals at SUNY New Paltz on Friday night, they would face the second-seeded SUNY Cortland Red Dragons at 7:30 p.m.

The Bears have qualified for the SUNYAC Playoffs eight times, winning four games.

Tickets for tomorrow night's game at Oneonta are $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 5-12. Children four and under, and students from all SUNYAC schools (with ID), will be admitted free.

Fans can watch all the action HERE and follow the live stats HERE.