POTSDAM, N.Y.- Kari Kipper and Kayla Ryan combined for 42 points as Oswego St. (9-9, 5-6 SUNYAC) defeated Potsdam by a final score of 58-50. The Bears (4-14, 2-9 SUNYAC) had balanced scoring with seven players scoring at least six points.

Kipper got the Lakers off to a quick start scoring eight of her team’s first 10 points as Oswego jumped out to an early 17-6 lead. Freshman Bailey Weigel ended the run with a driving layup to start a 12-4 Potsdam run. Freshman Carli Reynolds knocked down a three to cut the deficit to 21-13 at the six minute mark and the senior Sophie Parks connected on a jumper on the next possession to close the gap further. Kipper would respond with a three but Potsdam continued to chip away at the lead and cut it to three points with just over three minutes remaining. Lakers leading scorer, Ryan, would assert herself in the final three minutes of the half. She scored seven points, grabbed three rebounds and dished out an assist to propel Oswego to a 36-25 halftime lead.

The two teams traded baskets much of the early part of the second half. At the midpoint of the second half, Potsdam trailed 43-33 but senior Kaley Arsenault would cut that lead to eight with a jumper. Potsdam’s defense didn’t allow Oswego many open looks and held the Lakers without a field goal for five and a half minutes and the lead dwindled to 43-39 with 6:10 left. The Lakers would respond with back-to-back three’s from Kipper and Ryan to extend the lead. Jessica Kouzan’s second three of the game brought the Bears within six with 1:46 left. Potsdam stole the ensuing inbounds pass and Parks went to the line. She was able to convert on both to make it a four point game but the Bears could pull no closer.

For the game, Potsdam shot 30.6 percent from the field and featured a balanced attack. Kouzan scored 11 points and

Arsenault led the team with six rebounds.

Oswego shot 39.6 percent from the field but were held to 26.1 percent in the second half. They managed to knocked down

5-of-13 looks from long range (38.5 percent).

The Bears return to action on Tuesday night, Jan. 31 when they travel to New Paltz for a 6 p.m. tip-off.