FREDONIA, N.Y. -- The Fredonia State women's basketball team claimed a much-needed SUNYAC victory, 75-61, over visiting Potsdam on Wednesday. Three Devils scored in double digits, led by senior
Katie Pitcher (Fulton, N.Y. / Hannibal) with 19. Fellow senior
Lauren Mickley (Danville, Ohio / Danville) had 15, and
Renee Park (Union Springs, N.Y. / Union Springs) had 12 and a team-high seven rebounds.
Isabella Wier (East Aurora, N.Y. / East Aurora) put forth another strong outing, with nine points and five assists.
Mary Culeton (Oswego, N.Y. / Oswego) matched her with nine points and snared three steals.
A furious first quarter saw the teams race out to a 24-19 score, with the Devils holding the advantage. Park had nine points and Pitcher had eight in the first. They combined to go 8-9 from the field and the Devils went 11-13 as a team.
The Devils extended the lead to 13 by the half. Pitcher had 16 at the break as the Devils led, 43-30. She was 7-9 from the floor and 2-2 from the line. The Devils maintained a 67 percent shooting percentage (18-27). The were also 4-4 from the line and 3-4 from downtown. Potsdam made good on 36 percent of its shots. Dyamon Hunter had 10 points at the break to lead the Bears.
The Bears closed the gap in the third, outscoring the Devils 22-13, making it a four-point game, 56-52, heading into the fourth.
Fredonia State opened the final frame on an 13-1 run capped by a Wier three at 4:18, putting them up 69-53. From there, they were able to hold off the Potsdam offense and cruise to the win.
Mackenna Nechwedowich (Berkshire, N.Y. / Newark Valley) added seven points and three blocked shots for the Devils.
The Devils finished the game shooting 47 percent from the floor, went 6-13 from three-point range, and were 19-23 from the line (83 percent).
Potsdam (8-5 overall / 3-4 SUNYAC) outrebounded the Devils, 44-40. The shot 29 percent from the floor and hit just 3-13 threes. Hunter finished with a game-high 21 for the Bears.
The win moves the Devils to 8-7 overall and 3-5 in the SUNYAC. The teams meet up again in just two days when the Devils travel to Potsdam for a 5:30 tip off.
