POTSDAM, N.Y.- SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (1-6) hosted Elmira College (2-5) Saturday afternoon at Jerry Welsh Gymnasium. The teams fought throughout the game, but the Soaring Eagles prevailed with the 61-53 win. Senior forward Katie LaVoie (Malone, N.Y./Franklin Academy) led the Bears with 14 points and freshman guard Secret Clark (Bronx, N.Y./NYC Charter for A.E.C.I.) added nine points and five boards. Senior forward Meghan Loya (Bethel, Conn./Immaculate) recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while sophomore guard Danielle Cleary (Rochester, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy) was one rebound short of her own double-double, but finished with 25 points and nine boards.
 
Elmira opened the game with a jumper from sophomore guard Emily Green (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor), but Potsdam answered after a missed shot from the Soaring Eagles. Junior forward Patti Dorgler (Floral Park, N.Y./Archbishop) made a fast break layup then Elmira countered with another jumper from Cleary to take the lead back. The Soaring Eagles never relinquished the lead throughout the first half off play. Elmira got out to their largest lead of eight at the 7:54 mark in the second quarter, but the Bears battled for a 13-7 run to get Potsdam within two at halftime. LaVoie recorded seven points during the run and freshman guard Abbey Smith (Bainbridge, N.Y./Bainbridge-Guilford) ended the quarter with a jumper.
 
Freshman guard Janay Smith (Bronx, N.Y./Wings Academy) tied the score after she drained a jumper less than two minutes into the quarter. The Bears got their first lead of the day with two points from junior guard Laura Coleman (Manhattan, N.Y./Opportunity Charter), but Elmira wouldn't allow it to last. The Soaring Eagles started a 14-4 run with a jumper from Cleary. The run lasted the remaining minutes of the quarter with Elmira leading 42-33.
 
Both teams' exchanged baskets opening the fourth quarter, but Potsdam wasn't gaining much ground on the Soaring Eagles lead. Junior guard Abbey LaPage (North Bangor, N.Y./Franklin Academy) knocked down a three to get the Bears within seven. After multiple trips to the free throw line from both sides and another three from Janay Smith at the 50 second mark, the Bears were in a three possession game. With time running out and timely free throw shooting from Elmira, the Soaring Eagles took the 61-53 victory.
 
The Bears shot 38-percent from the field, while Elmira shot 29-percent.
 
Janay Smith finished with seven points and five steals and freshman guard Breanne Sapp (Potsdam N.Y./Potsdam) had six points and seven boards. Green tallied 13 points and six rebounds for the Soaring Eagles, while freshman forward Rachel Vespucci (Macedon, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy) grabbed eight rebounds.
 
Potsdam will be off until after the New Year and will come back to host Buffalo State Friday Jan. 8 at 5:30 p.m. in Jerry Welsh Gymnasium.