OSWEGO, N.Y. – Junior guard Liam Sanborn exploded for 22 second-half points to will the Oswego State men's basketball team to a 74-67 victory over Cortland in the opening round of the SUNYAC Men's Basketball Championship.  The Lakers will continue their title defense with a contest on Friday in Brockport.

THE BASICS

• Final Score:  Oswego 74, Cortland 67
• Location:  Max Ziel Gymnasium, Laker Hall – Oswego, N.Y.
• Records:  Oswego 19-7 (12-6 SUNYAC) | Cortland 17-9 (11-7 SUNYAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The game stayed close in the first half with Oswego going up 20-15 behind eight from freshman Jamal Achille in the first nine minutes.
• Behind 14 points from Jake DiSanto, Cortland took the 21-20 lead a few minutes later.
• After traded baskets, Cortland used a 9-2 run to push out to a 34-26 lead with 2:40 left in the half.
• The teams traded 3-pointers to end the half with Cortland up 37-30.
• A big difference in the first half was shooting from distance as Cortland went 6-for-11 while the Lakers were just 1-for-11.
• Sanborn scored the Lakers' first 13 points to start the second half to close the gap to 44-43 with 15:18 on the clock.
• Oswego grabbed the lead on back-to-back threes from senior Brandan Gartland and freshman Jeremiah Sparks to make it 51-46 with 11:43 showing.
• Every time the Red Dragons tried to make a run, Sanborn shut them down with a key bucket as he poured in 26 total points in the contest.
• The lead was five with a minute to go and the Lakers made a key defensive stop.
• Two free throws by Sparks locked up the win for Oswego.
• It was a tale of two halves with the Lakers hitting 8-for-13 from distance in the final twenty minutes of action.
• Besides Sanborn, every other starter reached double figures as Sullivan had 14 points, Gartland and Sparks 12, and Achille 10.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Lakers advance to take on top-seeded No. 23 Brockport on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Brockport.