PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (2-2) defeated Vermont State-Castleton (1-2) 59-45 in the second round of the Plattsburgh Holiday Inn Express Cardinal Classic on Saturday afternoon.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Bears edged the Spartans 10-8 in the first quarter. Senior guard Xy'El Bradford (Syracuse, N.Y./Syracuse Academy of Science) had five points for Potsdam.
• The Bears pulled away with a 20-12 second quarter, including the final 12 points of the half. Senior guards Barbara Bruno (Bronx, N.Y./Brooklyn High School for Law and Technology) and Carley Hill (Essex, Vt./Rice Memorial) each scored six points. Potsdam led 30-20 at the break.
• The Bears extended their advantage with a 16-11 third quarter for a 46-31 lead after 30 minutes. Junior forward Jenna Cotter (Johnson City, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley) scored eight points in the third and Bradford added six.
• The Spartans had a 14-13 advantage in the fourth quarter before falling by the 59-45 final. Sophomore guard Sara Richards (AuSable Valley, N.Y./AuSable Valley) scored five points and Bradford had four more.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Potsdam shot 42.6-percent from the floor, while holding Castleton to just 29.5.
• The Spartans outrebounded the Bears 41-37.
• Bradford led all scorers with a career-high 19 points to go with nine rebounds and two steals.
• Cotter finished with 12 points, five boards and two blocks.
• Bruno scored 10 points and had six assists, five rebounds and two steals.
• Stasia Epler scored 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Spartans. Emily Adams also scored 11 for Castleton to go with six rebounds.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Bears are back in action on Friday, when they travel to Paul Smith's College for a 5:30 p.m. contest.