BROCKPORT, N.Y.—Senior forward Jakia Howard (Syracuse, N.Y./Nottingham) continued to dominate as the SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (8-10, 6-7 SUNYAC) earned a crucial 66-54 road victory over SUNY Brockport (9-11, 6-7) on Friday night. Howard had 26 points and 13 rebounds. Senior guard Dyamon Hunter (Bronx, N.Y./Thurgood Marshall Academy) scored 12 points and added four assists in the contest, while sophomore guard Carley Hill (Essex, Vt./Rice Memorial) and junior guard Bella Barner (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) each contributed nine points.
 
The Bears started off hot, opening the contest on a 15-5 run and leading 18-10 after one quarter. The Bears hit three 3-pointers in the 10 minutes. Howard had one and led the charge with seven points. Barner hit twice from long range and Hill sank one three.
 
The Golden Eagles nearly matched the Bears' scoring in the second quarter, but Potsdam added to its lead. A 10-2 run over the first four minutes extended the Bears advantage to 28-12. Howard added five points during the run and Barner hit another three. Brockport chipped away at the lead and closed to within 30-21, but Hunter countered with another three and the Bears led 33-23 at the break. Howard and Hunter each had five points in the quarter.
 
The Golden Eagles finally made up some ground in the third quarter. A three from sophomore guard Xy'El Bradford (Syracuse, N.Y./Syracuse Academy of Science) at 6:50 made it a 13-point Potsdam advantage of 40-27. Brockport then surged, closing the third on a 12-7 stretch and trailed just 47-39 after 30 minutes. Howard scored four more in the quarter and Hill hit another three.
 
The Golden Eagles kept coming in the fourth quarter. A three from Mackenzie Higby at 5:54 capped a 7-2 run and Brockport was within 49-46. Hill countered with another three for the Bears, but Higby answered in kind and it was 52-49 at 5:10. A three-point play from senior forward Mandy Barnell (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) put the Bears up 57-51 with 3:18 left. Potsdam then closed out the victory from the free-throw line. Howard scored 10 in the fourth quarter, including six from the charity stripe.
 
Zairea Hannah led the Golden Eagles with 23  points and 12 rebounds. Juan Brown scored eight points and Higby finished with six.   
 
The win moves the Bears into a tie for fifth place with Brockport and a SUNYAC Playoff spot.
 
Potsdam heads to SUNY Geneseo for a 2 p.m. contest tomorrow.