POTSDAM, N.Y.—Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1-0) defeated the SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (0-1) 61-44 in the teams' season opener on Friday evening in Jerry Welsh Gymnasium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Engineers broke a 6-6 tie in the first quarter with an 11-2 run and led 17-8 after 10 minutes. Senior guard DaeLynn Alcock (Philadelphia, N.Y./Indian River) scored five points for the Bears and freshman forward Kiearra Baxter (Liverpool, N.Y./Bishop Grimes) had all three of her points from the free-throw line.
• Potsdam rallied for an 11-8 second quarter and trailed just 26-19 at the half. Freshman guard Lucie Scarpine (Angola, N.Y./Lake Shore) led the charge with seven points, including a 3-pointer. Baxter had the other four, with a three.
• RPI countered with a 19-13 third quarter. Senior guard Paris Jones (Houston, Texas/Dulles), Scarpine and Alcock each had four points, with Jones and Scarpine hitting threes.
• The Engineers had a 16-12 advantage in the fourth quarter. Alcock had six points in the final 10 minutes. Freshman guard Lillian Hoyt (Hornell, N.Y./Hornell) hit a three for her first collegiate points.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• RPI shot 41.8-percent from the floor and held the Bears to 21.8.
• The Engineers edged Potsdam on the glass 41-38
• Alcock led the Bears with 15 points, nine rebounds, four steals and two blocks.
• Baxter and Scarpine each finished with 11 points.
• Junior guard Emelia Rojik (Scituate, Mass/Scituate) led RPI with 13 points and eight boards.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Bears host St. Lawrence University at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow evening.