Strong first half lifts Cortland over Potsdam

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The Red Dragons hit the ground running during the first 10 minutes of play with a 22-8 lead. Crosby and senior captain Cassidy Chapko (Valley Falls, N.Y./Hoosic Valley) totaled six and five points, respectively for Cortland. LaPage and freshman guard Drew Dufrane (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) each drained a 3-pointer and sophomore forward Victoria Shopovick (White Plains, N.Y./Maria Regina) had steal that she laid in for a layup for the Bears. 

Cortland's defense continued into the second quarter by holding Potsdam to only eight points, while their offense put up another 17 points. Chapko went 3-for-4 from behind the arch to lead the Red Dragons. Dufrane and sophomore guard Abbey Smith (Bainbridge, N.Y./Bainbridge-Guilford) each hit threes and junior forward Keme Fofana (Bronx, N.Y./NYC Charter for A.E.C.I.) added her own two points to the mix.

Sophomore guard Kristy Vitucci (Deer Park, N.Y./Deer Park) knocked down a 3-pointer to open the third and start a 13-3 run for the Red Dragons. LaPage made a three to slow Cortland down and senior captain Meghan Driscoll (Troy, N.Y./Troy) made a steal and hit a layup for Potsdam with 3:11 to go. Driscoll and LaPage combined for another four points to close out the quarter trailing 57-28.
Potsdam edged Cortland in the final quarter 17-14 and went 7-for-8 from the free throw line. Dorgler led the Bears during the 10-minute span with five points and sophomore guard Tanna Mohammed (Huntington, N.Y./Elwood-John Glenn) tallied seven points for the Red Dragons to seal the 71-45 victory.

Dufrane finished with nine points and three steals, while Dorgler added five points. Driscoll recorded four points, five assists and three takeaways.

Chapko racked up 15 points, four assists and seven board and Vitucci and Mohammed each tallied nine points for Cortland.

Potsdam is back tomorrow to battle Oswego State at 4 p.m. in Jerry Welsh Gymnasium.