POTSDAM, N.Y.- SUNY New Paltz (15-9, 11-6 SUNYAC) took the victory over the SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (2-22, 0-17 SUNYAC) 74-43 Friday night. Junior guard Lindsay Bettke (Pelham, N.Y./The Ursuline School) led the Hawks with 19 points and four assists and junior guard Rachel Simon (Walkill, N.Y./Walkill) added 18 points. Sophomore guard Drew Dufrane (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) finished with nine points and freshman forward Naya Walters (Bronx, N.Y./Women's Academy of Excellence) had a team-high six rebounds for the Bears.

New Paltz started off the game with eight straight points before a bucket from freshman forward Nicole Hansen (Fulton, N.Y./G. Ray Bodley) got Potsdam on the board. Dufrane hit from behind the arc and junior guard Abbey Smith (Bainbridge, N.Y./Bainbridge-Guilford) added three points for the Bears total. The Hawks held the 17-8 advantage after the first quarter.

The offenses took off in the second with Potsdam putting together 17 points to New Paltz's 28. Junior guard Riley Luckie (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Jefferson C.C.) hit two 3-pointers and freshman guard Mikayla Horton (Hammond, N.Y./Hammond) added a three of her own. Freshman forward Hannah Marcellus (Potsdam, N.Y./Madrid-Waddington) tacked on four points, while Dufrane had a bucket and a free throw. Freshman Carly Shear (Newark, N.Y./Newark) ended the half by going 1-for-2 from the foul line. For the Hawks, Bettke was the leader with 10 points and Simon tallied nine points.

The third quarter was the most evenly played 10-minute span during the contest with New Paltz holding the slight 14-11 lead. Five different Bears combined for the 11 points. A 15-7 fourth quarter for the Hawks helped to add to their lead and take the 74-43 win. Smith, Hansen and freshman guard Mia Jackson (Bronx, N.Y./Mott Hall V) each had a bucket for Potsdam in the final quarter.

Luckie finished with eight points, while Hansen had seven points, three assists and four rebounds.

Freshman forward Amanda Skopetos (Pleasantville, N.Y./Pleasantville) had 11 points and five rebounds. Sophomore forward Philesha Teape (Jamaica, N.Y./Pathways College Prep) finished with a game-high 10 boards, while freshman forward Demi Herasme (Chester, N.Y./Warwick Valley) recorded nine points and seven rebounds.

The Bears are back tomorrow for a 1 p.m. start in their season finale against Oneonta. Potsdam will honor seniors, Emily Drake and Keme Fofana, at the beginning of the game.