NEW PALTZ, N.Y.—SUNY New Paltz (12-7, 8-4 SUNYAC) defeated the SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (1-18, 0-13 SUNYAC) 81-37 on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore guard Drew Dufrane (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) went 3-for-3 from three-point range as she led the Bears with nine points. Rachel Simon put up 20 points and added three steals in the win for New Paltz.

The Hawks broke the 7-7 tie with an 8-3 run to close the first quarter and keep the lead for good. Dufrane led in scoring for the Bears, hitting both of her shots from beyond the arc. Junior guard Abbey Smith (Bainbridge, N.Y./Bainbridge) also made a jumper, while junior guard Mikayla Horton(Hammond, N.Y./Hammond) and freshman center Naya Walters (Bronx, N.Y./Women's Academy of Excellence) each sank a free throw.

Similarly to the first 10 minutes, New Paltz started the second with a 6-0 run before Dufrane hit a 3-pointer. The Hawks ended the quarter on a 20-9 push, entering halftime up 41-22. Six different players scored for New Paltz during the run, with Simon leading with nine points. During the stretch Walters scored five points including a three-point play, while freshman forward Hannah Marcellus (Potsdam, N.Y./Madrid-Waddington) and Horton had a basket each.

The Hawks managed to keep the Bears scoreless for the first six minutes in the third, while scoring 16 points of their own. Nicole Ziogas scored eight of the points during the run. With a couple of buckets from Horton and Walters and a few free throws Potsdam entered the fourth down 67-28.

The Bears ended the game with Smith, freshman guard Mia Jackson (Bronx, N.Y./Mott Hall V), freshman forward Nicole Hansen (Fulton, N.Y./G. Ray Bodley), and senior forward Keme Fofana (Bronx, N.Y./AECI Charter H.S.) making a bucket. By splitting the charity stripe, Hansen tallied one more point, as Potsdam ended the game 81-37.

Walters ended the game with eight points and six rebounds, while Horton had six points and a block.

Demi Herasme had 12 points and five rebounds off the bench, and both Ziogas and Amanda Skopetos scored 10 points.

The Bears shot 34.2 percent from the field, while the Hawks shot 36.8 percent from the field.

Potsdam is back in action Friday, as the host they Red Dragons of Cortland at 5:30 p.m.