SUNY Potsdam

Women's Basketball Loses Season Opener

11.15.09

UTICA, NY- Three Bears scored in double figures but host Utica went on a late 11-2 run in the second half as the women’s basketball team fell in their season opener 71-62 on Sunday afternoon.

Three Bears scored in double figures led by Cortney Poirier (Moira/Brushton-Moira) who had 20 points and 11 rebounds. Brittany Whitton (Dekalb, Junction/Herman-DeKalb) had 12 points and Aimee Kellicutt (Lisle/Broome CC) had 11 points.

Jessica Berry had 25 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Pioneers. Devon Kroll had 16 points.

The Bears went on a 15-4 run in the first half and were up 22-12 with 6:09 to play. Utica would go on a run of their own and cut Potsdam’s lead to 22-20 with 3:39 left. Following a Utica free throw, Sophie Parks (Bogart, GA/North Oconee) hit a jumper to give the Bears a 30-24 lead at halftime.

Parks scored the opening basket of the second half to increase the Bears lead to eight. Utica however would go on a 21-0 run in just over a five minute span to take a 45-32 lead. The Bears would fight to get back into the game and make it 51-50 Potsdam following Kellicutt’s three-pointer with 9:31 left. The game would be tied 53-53 with 7:56 to play but the Pioneers would go on an 11-2 run covering 5:15 and Croll would convert seven of ten free throws to give Utica the victory.

The Bears host cross-town rival Clarkson in their home opener on Tuesday at 6 pm.