Potsdam, NY – For the second straight game, senior guard Bridget Sweeney (Corning, NY) hit a pair of clutch free throws at the close of the game to help the Clarkson University Women’s Basketball team defeat Potsdam State 65-60 Tuesday night at Clarkson’s Alumni Gymnasium.
The Golden Knights, who have won four of their last five games, move to 5-7 on the season while the Bears fell to 3-6. Clarkson has now won seven straight against Potsdam, and 25 of the last 28 meetings.
In the opening 20 minutes, the Golden Knights flirted with a double-digit lead and held a 27-18 advantage in the waning minutes of the first half, but the Bears ended the half with a 9-2 run to close the gap to 29-27. Mickala Henson (Waverly, NY) and Sarah Wesner (Sidney, NY) each scored eight first half points to lead the Golden Knights, while Kate Sullivan scored 12 points for the Bears, including three 3-pointers.
The two teams traded baskets in the first 11 minutes of the second half before Potsdam went on a 12-3 run to make the score 57-49 at the 5:14 mark. Over the final minutes, however, Clarkson closed the game and tied the score 60-60, scoring the final nine points of the contest for the 65-60 finish.
Linda Fernandez (Kennebunkport, ME) scored a team-high 17 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, dished out 8 assists and made 6 steals for the Golden Knights. Wesner added 13 points and 11 rebounds while Henson scored 11 points, 9 rebounds and 5 blocks. Sweeney closed the game with 11 points.
Sullivan finished with a game-high 21 points for the Bears while Kate Kaczmarek scored 15 points. Clare Ennis came off the bench to produce 11 points.
The Golden Knights open the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) conference schedule this weekend when they visit Skidmore College and Union College on Friday and Saturday.
