UTICA, N.Y.—Utica College (1-0) got off to a fast start en route to a 72-46 victory over the SUNY Potsdam women's basketball team (0-1) in the season opener. Freshman guard Secret Clark (Bronx, N.Y./NYC Charter for A.E.C.I.) was impressive in her collegiate debut, leading the Bears with 14 points. Ashelyne Babb had a game-high 18 points for the Pioneers.

The teams traded the opening four baskets which included a layup from senior forward Katie LaVoie (Malone, N.Y./Franklin Academy) and a jumper from freshman forward Victoria Shopovick (White Plains, N.Y./Maria Regina). Utica then pulled away with a 19-3 run to close the first quarter with a 24-7 advantage.

Hot shooting allowed the Pioneers to extend their lead to 45-17 through the first 8:22 of the second quarter. Potsdam got buckets from Shopovick and Clark to close the half down 45-21.

The Bears nearly matched Utica basket-for-basket in the third quarter, getting five points each from Clark and LaVoie. However, the Pioneers carried a 60-33 lead into the final 10 minutes.

Potsdam outscored Utica 13-12 in the fourth quarter. Clark capped her day with seven points on three-for-four shooting in the last 10 minutes, but the Pioneers closed out the 72-46 win.

Junior guard Meghan Driscoll (Troy, N.Y./Troy) scored six points for the Bears and sophomore forward Emily Drake (Athens, N.Y./Coxsackie-Athens) grabbed a team-high six rebounds. Utica's Mary Miceli and Alaina Tripp each reached double digits with 13 and 12 points, respectively.

The Pioneers outshot Potsdam 39.7-percent to 37.3 and topped the Bears in rebounds 42-31.

The Bears look to bounce back on Wednesday night when they face Clarkson University at 6 p.m. This contest, originally scheduled to be played at Clarkson's Alumni Gym, will now be played at Potsdam's Jerry Welsh Gymnasium.