The Cortland women's basketball team hit some clutch shots down the stretch in defeating Oswego State 80-73 in the ECAC Upstate semifinals, hosted by Oneonta State. Oswego State concluded its season with a 15-12 record. Cortland (23-6) will now play in the championship game Sunday against rival Oneonta beginning at 2 p.m.

With the score tied 64-64 and 5:24 remaining, Cortland scored five quick points to take the lead for good. A layup by senior Sara Cavanaugh gave the Red Dragons some breathing room at 69-64 with 4:14 remaining. Cavanaugh was one of four players in double figures for Cortland as she finished tied with sophomore Jessica Laing for high honors with 17 points. Laing also added a game-high 12 rebounds.

Oswego State came back at Cortland and cut its lead to one point at 69-68 on a pair of free throws by junior Heather Merino. The next trip down the floor for Cortland ended with a made
three-pointer from junior Ali Canale, which looked to be the final nail in the coffin before Oswego freshman Traci Bacon matched the shot with a 3-pointer of her own.

On Cortland's ensuing possession, Laing hit a clutch 3-point shot that was nothing but net to give her team a 75-71 lead with 1:36 to go in the game.

The remainder of the game was spent exchanging free throws, mostly by Cortland, as the Red Dragons prevailed.

Canale finished the game with 15 points for Cortland as did classmate Maggie Byrne.

Sophomore Rachel Kohrs led Oswego with 17 points.

The two teams battled closely in the first half with the biggest lead by either team being seven points by Oswego at the 8:35 mark. Kohrs hit a 3-point basket to put the Lakers ahead 20-13. Cortland chipped away at Oswego's lead over the next six minutes before tying the score at 30-30 on a basket by Byrne. The Red Dragons took a slim 38-36 lead into halftime.