Knights Pick Up First Win of the Season at Potsdam

Sophomore Brooke Butkovsky nearly had a double-double against Potsdam on Tuesday night - photo by Lauren Magin

Potsdam, NY – Sophomore Jovanna Snead (Poughkeepsie, NY) nearly doubled her career-high with 14 points, including three 3-pointers in the second half, as the Clarkson University Women’s Basketball team used a big second period to gain its first victory of the season, a 72-58 win over crosstown rival Potsdam State at Maxcy Hall.

The Golden Knights improved to 1-3 overall, ending their season-opening three-game losing streak, while Potsdam fell to 1-4. Clarkson will look to continue its winning ways on Friday when the team hosts Elmira College at Alumni Gymnasium.

Clarkson fell behind in the early going by seven points as the team gave up easy shots in the opening minutes. However, the Knights did not panic and went to the interior, scoring their first six baskets on lay ups before a six-foot jumper from Colleen Daley (Orchard Park, NY) brought the team all the way back to take a 14-12 lead. From that point on in the first half, Clarkson and Potsdam essentially traded baskets, with the Golden Knights ending the half with a layup from Ashley Loggins (Albany, NY) to claim a one-point halftime advantage, 27-26.

Clarkson never trailed in the second half, but it took the Knights a few minutes to gain a significant advantage. A stretch midway through the final 20 minutes allowed Clarkson to push its advantage to double figures, taking a 10-point lead (50-40) at the 10:00 minute mark. With tremendous offensive rebounding while limiting Potsdam’s opportunities for second chances, Clarkson extended its lead to as many as 21 points (69-48 with 3:06 to go), but Potsdam cut into the lead and finished the game with a 14-point difference.

Sophomore Leighann Tomita (Cerritos, CA) led the Knights with 17 points, shooting 8-for-11 from the free throw line, and also dished out six assists while Snead scored 14 points on 5-for-9 shooting, including 3-for-5 from beyond the 3-point arc. Loggins also contributed 12 points and seven rebounds and Brooke Butkovsky (Monroe, CT) tossed in eight points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Katy Briedis was the game-high scorer with 28 points, but took 24 shots to get those points for Potsdam.

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