PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State women's basketball team suffered their third defeat of the season Tuesday evening in Memorial Hall with a 59-26 loss to St. Lawrence University to fall 0-3 overall.

The Saints never lost possession of the lead from the beginning taking a nine point advantage after the first quarter.

The Cardinals out-scored the Saints in the second quarter 9-6 with two layups by Frannie Merkel (Brewster, N.Y./Brewster), a three-pointer from Hannah Whitney (Keene, N.Y. / Keene Central) and a layup by Lauren Lawliss (Peru, N.Y. / Peru) but were still behind 18-12 heading into halftime.

St. Lawrence went on an eight point run in the beginning of the third to take a 12 point lead and had a 17 point advantage with 2:51 left.

Lawliss put in an old fashioned three-pointer to cut the advantage to 14 and by the end of the third the Saints had a 36-21 lead.

The Saints had their highest scoring quarter in the fourth with 23 points compared to the Cardinals five to take the 33 point win.

St. Lawrence shot 52 percent from the free throw line and recorded 13 points off Plattsburgh State's 23 fouls. The Saints scored 13 points off turnovers as the Cardinals committed 24.

Whitney recorded seven points coming off the bench, Merkel had six and Lawliss also had six and picked up 11 rebounds.

Plattsburgh State is home Friday, Dec. 1, to open SUNYAC play with a game against Fredonia at 5:30 p.m.