SUNY Potsdam Athletics

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.—The University of Saint Joseph (3-0) used a big second half to defeat the SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (1-0) 66-44 in the first round of the Holiday Inn Express Cardinal Classic on Friday night.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Blue Jays outscored the Bears 19-16 in the first quarter, thanks to a three at the buzzer from Sequoia Turcotte Briggs. Sophomore guard Lillian Hoyt (Hornell, N.Y./Hornell) hit two threes in the opening 10 minutes. Junior center Reese Shambo (Au Sable Forks, N.Y./AuSable Valley) and sophomore guard Olivia Cook (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) each had four points and junior forward Jakayla Spence (Lowville, N.Y./Lowville) scored two.
• Saint Joseph edged Potsdam 15-12 in the second quarter. Freshman guard Madison Gagnier (Saranac, N.Y./Saranac) led the Bears with six points. Spence, freshman forward Chloe Sierra (Leon M. Goldstein) and junior guard Maya Morrison (Brooklyn, N.Y./Achievement First Brooklyn) each had two. The Blue Jays led 34-28 at the break.
• It was all Saint Joseph in the third quarter as they pulled away with a 21-1 10 minutes and led 55-29 through 30 minutes.
• Potsdam finished the fourth quarter on a 15-2 run before falling 66-44.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The Blue Jays shot 44.3 percent from the floor and held the Bears to 26.7 percent.
• Saint Joseph had add a 49-39 advantage on the glass.
• Gagnier led the Bears with eight points and six rebounds. Hoyt finished with six points and Spence had five points.
• Nevaeh Yorke led the Blue Jays with 13 points and nine rebounds.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Bears face Vermont State Castleton in the second round of the tournament tomorrow at 2 p.m.