OSWEGO, N.Y. – The Oswego State Men's Basketball team took on the SUNY New Paltz Hawks at home this evening. A relatively even game changed to an action-packed end of the second half. The Lakers won in overtime 84-83 maintaining their top spot in the SUNYAC standings.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Oswego 84 (18-1, 12-0 SUNYAC) New Paltz 83 (15-4, 9-3 SUNYAC)
Location:  Oswego State | Oswego, NY | Max Ziel Gym

HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The match-up saw a relatively even back-and-forth play to start the game with low scores on the board. Just as Oswego started to pull away with a lead, New Paltz answered right back. Down 32-28, a three by Ahkee Anderson was made to close the margin. However, the Hawks stayed on top for the last five minutes, ending the first half 38-33. The Lakers were out-shot outside the arc by 41.7% to 33.3%.
 
A jump shot by Anderson and a three by Sean Edwards tied things up in just under the first minute returning to play in the second half. Jeremiah Sparks added a dunk to push the Lakers into a short lead before the score continued to even out. New Paltz took multiple opportunities to out-shoot Oswego, however, the Laker defense kept the point difference to less than eight. Two free throws by Kaleb Cook tied up the score to 71-71; this followed up quickly with another two points by the Hawks. A steal by each team in a matter of three seconds resulted in Oswego possession and a Sparks layup again tying the score at 73-73 with 36 seconds on the clock. Both teams missed a three-point shot with seconds to go and we were headed for overtime.
 
Sparks shot a three for the first points of overtime. The Lakers maintained the lead and with the shot clock about to expire, Cartier Bowman scored with a layup. The Hawks boosted their score in the same fashion making the score 85-84. Oswego kept New Paltz at bay in the remaining seconds of the game, resulting in another overtime green and gold win in a week.
Leading scorers for Oswego were Sparks with 31 and Anderson with 19.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
 
The Lakers will travel to Plattsburgh State to go head-to-head with the Cardinals on Friday, February 2 with a 7:30 p.m. tip-off time.   
 
Written By: Ashton Laird