Bengals hold off Bears, 52-41

BUFFALO, N.Y.--Buffalo State (6-6, 3-3 SUNYAC) defeated the SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (1-10, 0-6) 52-41 on Saturday afternoon. Freshman center Naya Walters (Bronx, N.Y./Women's Academy of Excellence) led the Bears with a career and game-high 12 points along with seven rebounds. Sophomore guard Drew Dufrane(Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) scored 10 points and junior guard Riley Luckie(Ogdensburg, N.Y./Ogdensburg Free Academy) had five points and five boards.
 
Luckie opened the contest with a 3-pointer, but the Bengals answered with 10 straight points. Senior forward Keme Fofana (Bronx, N.Y./AECI Charter H.S.) netted the next four Potsdam points from the free-throw line and Buffalo State led 12-7 after 10 minutes of play.
 
The Bengals started the second quarter with a 7-0 run to grab a 19-7 lead, but the Bears countered with a 6-1 stretch of their own and trailed just 20-13 at the half. Dufrane and junior Mikayla Horton (Hammond, N.Y./Hammond) each hit three for Potsdam.
 
Buffalo State extended its lead to 35-22 in the third quarter. The Bengals opened the third with a 9-1 run, until freshman guard Mia Jackson (Bronx, N.Y./Mott Hall V) ended the drought with a layup. Jackson had four points in the quarter along with a bucket from Walters and freshman guard Carly Shear(Newark, N.Y./Newark) and a free throw from Horton.
 
The final quarter was the Bears best offensively, as they outscored Buffalo State 19-17. Walters was nearly unstoppable in the fourth, going on a personal 10-4 to close the gap to 39-32 with 7:13 to play. However, Potsdam couldn't complete the comeback despite two threes from Dufrane, as the Bengals went on a 13-9 stretch to close out the win.
 
Mariah Rosario led a balanced Buffalo State attack with nine points. Liv LeBaron and Kendall Mills each scored eight, while Jenna Faulkner scored seven and Grace Licata and Kate Villarini each added six.
 
The Bears head to Clinton on Tuesday night for a 7 p.m. showdown with the Hamilton College Continentals.