POTSDAM, N.Y. -- The Oswego State men's basketball team was led by Brian Sortino's 25 points to a 73-67 victory over the St. Lawrence Saints on Saturday afternoon in its season-opener. With the victory, the Lakers go to 1-0, while the Saints drop to 0-1.
 
Alex Rawa knocked down the game-sealing three to extend the Laker advantage to eight, 69-61, with just under a minute remaining; a margin St. Lawrence was unable to makeup. Rawa also grabbed a 11 boards in the win, tying a career-high he set in a game against Plattsburgh on Jan. 16, 2015.
 
Sortino started off the contest with the hot hand, nailing a jumper and a trey to give the Lakers a 5-0 lead. The junior guard knocked down nine of his 13 free throw attempts over the course of the contest while tallying four assists and two boards.
 
In the two-guard set, Walter Sampson shot an efficient 77.8% from the field (7-for-9), including a perfect 2-for-2 from deep to accumulate 19 points.
 
Dustin Pond and Mark Candelario combined for 20 points and eight boards while Keith Tyson chipped in with seven rebounds of his own.
 
Oswego shot 46.0% (22-for-48) from the field on the afternoon. They also controlled the glass, nabbing 32 boards, three more than Saints.
 
The Lakers will return to action in the Elmira College Tip-Off Tournament when they face Mount Saint Mary College (NY) at 6 p.m. on Friday.