PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (1-2) withstood a late charge by Utica University (0-2) to win 55-50, in the first round of the Plattsburgh Holiday Inn Express Cardinal Classic.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Bears opened the game on a 12-3 run and led 17-8 after one quarter. Senior guard Xy'El Bradford (Syracuse, N.Y./Syracuse Academy of Science) scored seven points and senior guard Carley Hill (Essex, Vt./Rice memorial) hit two threes.
• The Pioneers barely made up ground in the second quarter, edging the Bears 14-12, but still trailed 29-22 at the half. Senior forward Jenna Cotter (Johnson City, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley) and senior guard Barbara Bruno (Bronx, N.Y./Brooklyn High School for Law and Technology) each scored four points.
• Potsdam pulled away in the third quarter with a 17-11 advantage to take a 46-33 lead through 30 minutes. Junior forward DaeLynn Alcock (Philadelphia, N.Y./Indian River) scored five points in the third.
•  Utica started the fourth quarter on a 9-1 run and got within 51-50 with 38 seconds left. However, Bruno hit a jumper with 11 seconds on the clock and Hill hit two free throws six seconds later to seal the 55-50 win.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The Bears shot 38.6-percent from the floor to the Utica's 34.5.
• Potsdam finished with a 40-36 edge on the glass.
• Bradford just missed a double-double with 13 points and nine boards.
• Cotter had 12 points, five rebounds and five blocks.
• Hill had 11 points and Bruno scored 10 to go with seven rebounds.
• Vanessa Hall led Utica with 24 points and five rebounds.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Bears are back in action tomorrow afternoon in the second round with a 1 p.m. contest against Vermont State University-Castleton.