A Quick Look
For the second straight game senior Casey Hayes (New Hyde Park/Sewanhaka) posted a career high in points but it wasn't enough, as the SUNY Oneonta women's basketball fell at home to Potsdam 84-77 in SUNYAC women's action.  Hayes scored 18 points while grabbing a career high 13 boards.
 
The Inside Story
The two teams combined to score 44 points in the opening quarter with Potsdam (3-4, 1-1 SUNYAC) grabbing a 24-20 lead.  Sophomore Devyn Elliott and freshman Caroline LaFountain combined to score 22 of the 24 points for the Bears.  Freshman Margaret Nardelli (Wappingers Falls/Roy C. Ketcham) came off the bench to spark Oneonta (2-5, 0-2 SUNYAC) with a pair from behind the arc.  Nardelli finished the game in double figures for the first time of her collegiate career chipping in 14 points.
 
The Bears extended its lead in the opening three minutes of the second quarter with an 8-3 spurt that put them ahead 32-23.  Jakia Howard led the way with six points during the burst.  The Red Dragons chipped away at its deficit and a basket by freshman Elizabeth Thompson (Morris/Morris) at 2:01 cut Potsdam's lead back to just two points at 38-36.  A quick five points for the Bears ballooned the lead back to seven before a three by freshman Kelsey Terrell (Middleburgh/Middleburgh Central) made the score 43-39 at the break.
 
Oneonta came out strong to start the third quarter pulling to within 45-44 in the opening 1:30, but a 6-0 counter by Potsdam put them back up by seven points.  The Bears continued to grow its lead to as many as 11 points late in the quarter taking a 65-57 lead into the final quarter.
 
Oneonta still trailed by eight points midway through the fourth quarter before making a last push.  A pair of baskets by Hayes made the score 75-71 with just under four minutes to play, but back-to-back threes by LaFountain gave Potsdam the space it needed to secure the victory.
 
Just the Stats
The biggest difference in today's contest came at the foul line where Potsdam outscored Oneonta 25-11.  The Red Dragons got a solid effort from the reserves in the contest outscoring Potsdam's bench 33-3 led by Nardelli's 14 points.  Oneonta held a slight 46-43 advantage off the glass including 22 offensive rebounds.
 
The Bears had four players in double figures led by LaFountain's game high 21 points.  Elliott was next with 20 points followed by Howard and Dyamon Hunter who both scored 18 points.
 
What's Next
Oneonta will now prepare for its trip to Puerto Rico where they are scheduled to play UT-Dallas and Colby Sawyer on Dec. 19^th and 21^st before heading into the holiday break.