The SUNY Potsdam women’s basketball team opened a five-game, conference road trip Friday with a 76-58 loss at New Paltz in a State University of New York Athletic Conference contest in New Paltz, N.Y.

The Bears (2-14 overall, 1-8 SUNYAC) forced 26 turnovers but committed 31 of their own, leading to 28 points off miscues for the Hawks, who shot 47.4 percent from the field.

“Even though the outcome wasn’t what we wanted, I thought we were gritty tonight,” Potsdam coach Tara Ruckh said. “We fought for it and didn’t back down from their physicality. They pressured us the whole game and forced us to play faster and more chaotic.”

In the first half, the two teams played evenly through the first 12-plus minutes of action before New Paltz made a 9-0 run to take a 30-19 advantage with 5:19 left in the half. Freshman Jessica Kouzan (Webster, N.Y.) ended the run with a bucket at the 5:07 mark.

The Hawks (10-7, 8-2) shot a sizzling 53 percent in the first half, compared to 39 percent for the Bears. Potsdam also committed 16 turnovers in the period.

New Paltz extended its lead in the second, forcing four Bears turnovers in the first four minutes of the frame.

Senior captain Aimee Kellicutt (Lisle, N.Y.) scored a game- and season-high 21 points to go along with five assists and a season-best six steals. She also shot 8-for-9 from the free throw line.

“Aimee did a nice job of attacking the basket, and really used her pull-up jumper and midrange game,” Ruckh said. “She got to the basket and got herself to the free throw line.”

Kouzan finished with nine points on 4-of-5 shooting from the floor. Junior Kaley Arsenault (Syracuse, N.Y.) contributed with six points and a team-high seven rebounds.

Potsdam shot 12-for-16 (75 percent) from the free throw line for the game.

The Bears continue their road swing tomorrow at Oneonta. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.