OSWEGO, N.Y. -- The Oswego State men's basketball team dropped its matchup to the Plattsburgh Cardinals, 85-68, on Friday in Max Ziel Gymnasium. The Lakers fall to 8-4 overall and 1-4 in the SUNYAC. Plattsburgh improves to 10-2 and remains unscathed in the conference with a 5-0 record.
 
Walter Sampson started off the game scorching hot for Oswego. The senior began the contest by scoring the first six points for the Lakers and 10 of the team's first 15. Sampson ended with 13 points on 62.5% (5-for-8) shooting, tying Brian Sortino for the team-high.
 
The game came down to the length and power of each team's scoring runs. Despite Sampson's fire, Plattsburgh went on a 9-4 run over the contest's opening four minutes. Immediately following, the Lakers answered with an 11-4 run, paced by Sampson and Sortino 3-pointers to take a two-point edge.
 
The momentum would be cut short on the next possession when the Cardinals hit a three to retake the lead. From here on out Plattsburgh held a positive margin, stretching the lead to double-digits at times.
 
Oswego made several attempts at getting back in the game, including a timely 3-pointer from Alex Rawa midway through the second half and an all-round solid performance from Keith Tyson.
 
Tyson tallied 10 points on 4-for-6 (66.7%) shooting, including hitting his only shots attempted from the stripe and behind the arc. The Syracuse-native nabbed three rebounds, dished out two assists and picked a pocket to complete his stat line.
 
Offensively the Lakers took care of the ball, with just 10 turnovers. Coming into the matchup they were ranked No. 12 in the nation with just 10.4 per game.
 
Men's basketball will take the court against conference-rival Potsdam at 4 p.m. on Saturday.