CORTLAND, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (1-5, 0-1 SUNYAC) fell in a tough road contest to SUNY Cortland (3-2, 1-0 SUNYAC) 65-50 Friday evening. Senior guard Katy Briedis led the Bears with 12 points and four rebounds.

Cortland jumped out to a quick lead just a minute in the contest to claim a 4-0 lead. The Bears settled in and a barrage of three pointers ensued. Chenice Russell was the first to put Potsdam on the board with a three at the 18:35 mark. Hannah Kmiecinski followed three minutes later with back-to-back three point baskets to put the Bears on top 11-8. Briedis joined in the action with a slash to the basket, making the bucket and converting on an old fashion three-point play. The Canton native then connected from beyond the arch with 14:16 remaining in the half to give Potsdam the 17-8 advantage. However, Cortland responded with a 12-2 run to retake the lead at the 8:58 mark. The Red Dragons closed out the first half on fire as they extended the Potsdam deficit to 17 points. Russell connected on a free throw and a layup in the final minute of the half to shrink the Cortland advantage to 45-31.

Both teams struggled to score in the early stages of the second half. Sophomore forward Bailey Weigel started the Potsdam offense at the 18-minute mark. The sophomore then connected on a jump shot to cut the Red Dragons lead to six with 15:37 remaining. Cortland halted the Bears charge with a tough defensive stand. Potsdam struggled to score, going on a 15-minute drought that resulted in a 14-0 run for the Red Dragons. The Bears continued to fight late in the game but Cortland maintained a comfortable lead to earn their first SUNYAC win of the season. 

Weigel tallied 10 points and seven boards. Russell added nine points and contributed six rebounds. The Bears shot 31% from the floor and collected 39 rebounds to Cortland's 50.

Megan Touhey led the Red Dragons with 23 points and six rebounds. Brooke DeMarco notched 12 points and six boards. Grace Williamson nearly missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. The bench provided a 23-point boost for Cortland and the Red Dragons shot 73% from the charity stripe.

The Bears are back in action tomorrow when they face Oswego State at 2 p.m.