Potsdam, NY – Rachel Graf hit a 3-pointer in the final minute of the second half to give Potsdam its first lead since 2-0 as the Bears defeated the Clarkson University Women’s Basketball 48-44 Tuesday evening in a non-league game at Alumni Gymnasium.
The Golden Knights remain winless on the season at 0-5 while the Bears improved to 3-1. It was Potsdam’s first victory over Clarkson since the 1996-97 season. The Golden Knights return to action this weekend when they visit Cortland State and Alfred University.
The Bears opened the scoring with a lay up 1:34 into the game, but the Golden Knights went on a small run and never trailed again through the first half, with the Bears briefly tying the game 12-12 at 10:41. A 7-0 run over the next two minutes gave the Knights a healthy lead which they would maintain for the remainder of the period. Clarkson shot 13-for-16 from the free throw line, continually going to the basket and getting fouled on shots up close. Adrienne Juby (Cold Spring, NY) scored six points, including a 4-for-4 performance from the free throw line, for the Knights. Megan Davis shot a solid 4-for-7 from the field, including 2-for-4 from beyond the 3-point line, to tally 10 points for Potsdam in the opening 20 minutes.
In the second half, neither team could muster much offense, but the Knights held on to a narrow lead thanks to free throws. Clarkson’s last field goal in the half came with more than 12 minutes remaining when Casey Laush (Westford, VT) scored a jumper to make the score 41-35. From there on, the Bears outscored Clarkson 13-3.
Laush led the Knights with 11 points on 4-for-8 shooting while Rachel Whitermore (Holliston, MA) added in five points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore Kelly Fink (Verona, NY) also contributed four points and nine rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench for Clarkson.
Maureen Curley was the key player for Potsdam, scoring 8 points to go along with 17 rebounds and 5 assists. Graf finished with a game-high 13 points while Megan Davis and Cortney Poirier each added 10 points.
