GENEVA, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (0-2) fell in their first road contest of the season to William Smith College (1-0) 66-52 Saturday evening. Senior guard Katy Briedis led the Bears with 23 points and six rebounds.

The early stages of the contest were evenly matched as each squad exchanged baskets. It wasn't until 11:02 in the first half that William Smith sparked a 7-0 run to generate a 10 point lead over Potsdam. The Bears closed the gap with four minutes remaining when sophomore forward Margaret Wall tied the game at 26 all. Shortly after, Briedis put Potsdam ahead for the first time of the night off a fastbreak layup. The Herons quickly reversed the momentum in the remaining two minutes as they claimed the lead going into halftime, 36-31.

Potsdam continued to fight throughout the second half. The Herons extended their lead to eight points within the first several minutes. The Bears clawed their way back into the game with 9:14 remaining behind a big three pointer by sophomore forward Bailey Weigel. A little over two minutes later, Briedis pulled up for a jumper to tie the game at 48 a piece. William Smith halted the momentum when Sasha Borenstein drilled back-to-back threes to put the Herons up six with five minutes left in the final half.  Potsdam was unable to recover as the Herons went on an 18-4 run to close out the game, 66-52.

William Smith edged Potsdam in rebound 44 to 42 and won the turnover margin with 12 turnovers to the Bears' 20. Chloe Hayter led the Herons with 16 points. Teammates Sydni Salvatore and Borenstein each added 14 points, respectively. Potsdam's Wall contributed eight points and Weigel totaled seven points and eight rebounds.

The Bears return to the court Monday, Nov. 19 for a home contest versus Skidmore College at 8 p.m.