Box Score

The Oswego State men's basketball team controlled play in the paint to defeat host Buffalo State 68-61, clinching the seventth-seed in the SUNYAC Tournament, on Saturday. The Lakers owned a 45-35 advantage on the glass, while outscoring the Bengals 44-34. Defensive pressure also helped Oswego State turn 17 Buffalo State turnovers into 21 points. The Lakers, who improved to 13-12 overall and 7-11 in the league, will face second-seeded Oneonta on Tuesday in Oneonta. The Bengals dropped to 11-13 overall and 9-9 in the conference.

Oswego State trailed by two before going on an 18-4 tear capped off by five straight points from Stanley Francois (Sr., Valley Cottage, N.Y.) to grab a 26-14 lead with 4:10 left in the first half.  The Lakers went on to take a 38-24 edge into the intermission as Francois recorded the final four points of the frame.

In the second half, Ryan Sheridan's (So., Blauvelt, N.Y.) jumper gave Oswego State its' biggest lead of the game at 18 points after the first three minutes.  The Bengals did not give up as they went on a 15-2 run to cut the Laker lead to five points with 13:56 left to play.  Antonio Samedi brought Buffalo State to within three points after a dunk, forcing Oswego State to call a 30-second timeout.  The Lakers immediately responded by rattling off seven unanswered points to regain a double-digit lead at 55-45.

The Bengals stayed within striking distance the rest of the way, but Sean Michele (So., East Rochester, N.Y.) went 4-for-6 from the free throw line in the final minute to clinch the win and a spot in the post-season for Oswego State.

Three Lakers finished the game in double figures, including Hayden Ward (Fr., Montauk, N.Y.) with 14 points, Francois with 13 to go along with 11 boards, and Michele with 11 points as well as five steals.  Chad Burridge (So., Hannibal, N.Y.) turned in the solid all-around stats line of nine points, ten rebounds, six assists, and five blocks.  Buffalo State was led 17 points from Antonio Samedi.