CANTON, NY - The Oswego State Men's Basketball Team traveled to St. Lawrence University for a non-conference match-up against the Saints on Wednesday evening.
 

THE BASICS

Oswego 44 (2-1, 0-0 SUNYAC)

St. Lawrence 45 (1-0, 0-0 Liberty League)

Location: Ronald T. Burkman Gymnasium | St. Lawrence University | Canton, NY

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Saints won the tip-off and quickly opened scoring with a layup. Although they intercepted Oswego's initial possession, the Lakers' defense pushed back and reclaimed control. St. Lawrence capitalized on an Oswego turnover for a 4-0 lead before Ahkee Anderson put Oswego on the board with a jumper. Both teams struggled to find their rhythm offensively, with back-and-forth action interrupted by fouls that allowed the Saints to add a few points. Billy Reyes kept Oswego close with a three-pointer, while Anderson hit two more jumpers to bring the Lakers within one point at 9-10. Sean Edwards stole the ball at mid-court from St. Lawrence, setting up a layup by Gary McLane that gave Oswego their first lead, which Xavier Allen extended with a three-pointer. Though the Saints answered with another layup, Anderson put Oswego back in front with his fourth jumper of the half. The game stayed close as St. Lawrence capitalized on defensive rebounds to tie the game at 16-16 with just over five minutes left in the first half. Deacon Judd's layup and free throw, followed by Allen's second three-pointer, pushed the Lakers up 25-20. The Saints fought back, and the half ended with Oswego narrowly leading 25-24.

The second half opened with both teams maintaining the aggressive defense seen earlier. The Saints quickly scored 5 points before Cole Kattan's jumper put the Lakers on the board. After a Saints three-pointer, Ahkee Anderson's two free throws narrowed the score to 29-32, though St. Lawrence responded with a layup. Both teams then struggled to gain momentum until Anderson added two more free throws, bringing Oswego closer at 31-34. The Saints accumulated fouls as the intensity rose, and Oswego eventually tied the game 36-36 after a Gary McLane layup and a jumper from Kattan. With just under 10 minutes remaining, Deacon Judd reclaimed Oswego's lead with a jumper right as the shot clock expired, followed by a successful free throw to bring the score to 41-38. The Saints quickly responded with a three-pointer to tie it again. The tight defense on both sides led to rushed plays and shot clock pressure, keeping the score close. St. Lawrence edged ahead by 2 with a layup, but Kattan's free throws brought it to a tie once more. As the clock wound down, the Saints gained a slight advantage after a foul put them up by 2. With 23 seconds left, McLane made a free throw to pull Oswego within one, but time ultimately ran out, and the Lakers fell just one point short at 44-45.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Lakers are set to hit the road again on Tuesday, November 19, for a non-conference matchup against Brockport in Rochester, NY, with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 PM.

Written By: Jillian Kraus
 

@OswegoAthletics | FB: OswegoAthleticsOfficial | IG: oswegoathletics