The SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team opened the second half with a 17-0 run and defeated Alfred University, 76-54, in a non-league matchup at Jerry Welsh Gymnasium. Freshman Cortney Poirier (Moira/Brushton-Moira) led the Bears with 16 points, seven rebounds and three steals.
Sophomores Maureen Curley (Madrid/Madrid-Waddington) and Hannah Fairchild (Brushton/Brushton-Moira) scored 12 and 11 points, respectively, for Potsdam (4-4, 0-2 SUNYAC). Fellow sophomore Megan Davis (Hammond/Hammond) helped in the paint with eight rebounds while freshman Rachel Graf (Elbridge/Jordan-Elbridge) grabbed six.
Potsdam's defense deserves much credit for its success against the Saxons (2-6). During their 17-point streak, the Bears held Alfred without a field goal for 12 minutes and 43 seconds.
For Alfred, freshman Hannah Meier (Rochester/Greece Odyssey) scored 12 points while senior Megan Sampsell (Corry, Penn./Corry) and freshman Alysha Dias (Rochester/Greece Olympia) added 10 points apiece. Dias also had eight rebounds.
The Bears will play again tomorrow against Ithaca College. Game time is 2 p.m.