PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -- A 10-0 run late in the fourth quarter provided visiting Bates College a commanding 59-45 lead with just 53 seconds remaining in regulation as the Bobcats secured a second-straight win to start the 2023-24 season, defeating host-Plattsburgh State University, 59-49, Friday evening in women's basketball action.

The contest opened with both squads volleying for the advantage as the first 10:00 play experienced four lead changes and four ties. A successful Danielle Adams jumper at the buzzer provided the Bobcats a slim 15-13 lead heading into the second quarter of action.

Plattsburgh State countered with a 15-7 swing to open the period, with a Peyton Couture (Jr.-Redford, N.Y.) three-ball putting the home team ahead, 28-22, with 4:21 left before the break.  Bates, not wasting a moment, immediately responded with a 9-2 spurt over the remaining minutes to ease into intermission ahead, 31-30.

The 'Cats came out of the locker room hungry for more as Bates accounted for 13 of the first 15 points in the third, going up by 12 (44-32) at the 2:19 mark of the frame. Entering the fourth period trailing by a score of 46-37, the Cardinals answered with a 7-0 strike to open the final session and slice their deficit to just two points at 46-44.

Imani Walcott (So.-Albany, N.Y.) made one of two free-throw attempts to make it 49-44 Plattsburgh with 7:29 left, which would be as close as the Cardinals would get the rest of the way. James jump-started the Bobcats' referenced run, banking home a layup at the 6:57 mark. Morgan Kennedy would close out the 10-0 statement with an old-fashioned three-point play, a lay-in and a subsequent free throw, to seal the triumph for the garnet and white.

After leading Bates with 14 points in Wednesday's home win vs. UMaine-Farmington, Adams topped that total with 16 more on the evening, shooting a splendid 7-for-10 from the floor over 23 minutes off the bench. Kennedy matched her mate with 16 of her own in 27 minutes of action.

Alexandra Long distributed eight assists in the effort while Elsa Daulerio added eight points and a pair of rejections for the Bobcats (2-0). 

For the Cardinals (2-1), Walcott soared with a double-double performance consisting of 16 points and 13 boards over 29 minutes. Couture followed with 13 points of her own. Julia Greek (Fy.-East Setauket, N.Y.) added 11 points in the effort.

Bates returns to action Saturday afternoon with a 1:00 p.m. meeting scheduled vs. SUNY Potsdam in a neutral-site contest hosted by Plattsburgh State.