Oswego, NY - In a game that had all the intensity of a postseason showdown, the Oswego State men's basketball team went toe-to-toe with Cortland for 50 grueling minutes before ultimately falling 86–81 in a double-overtime classic Friday night at Corey Gym.
 
BASICS 
Oswego 81 (4-2, 0-1 SUNYAC)
Cortland 86 (5-1, 1-0 SUNYAC)
Corey Gymnasium | Oswego NY
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
Oswego showed grit throughout the night, battling back from an 11-point halftime deficit and repeatedly delivering when it looked like the Red Dragons might pull away. Deacon Judd put together a top performance, logging 48 minutes and leading the Lakers with 24 points and six rebounds, while Steven Bradley added 17 points, steadying the offense whenever Oswego needed a lift.

Jayson McGhee was electric off the bench, pouring in 20 points and hitting clutch free throws with two seconds left in the first overtime to extend the game. Meanwhile, Gary McLane delivered a pivotal double-double—11 points and 10 rebounds—while helping spark the second-half surge that swung momentum firmly toward the Lakers.

Trailing 37–28 at the break, Oswego stormed out of the locker room with renewed energy. Ball pressure tightened, passing lanes shrank, and the Lakers turned Cortland's turnovers into quick points. Back-to-back threes from McLane highlighted a 31–19 run that flipped the script and gave Oswego a 59–56 advantage with just over seven minutes left.

From there, the game transformed into a heavyweight bout. Every possession mattered. Judd and McGhee answered repeatedly at the rim, while Bradley connected on a critical three to keep the Lakers within striking distance. McLane's coast-to-coast finish with :54 remaining knotted the score at 69–69, and Oswego's defense stood tall on the final stand of regulation to force overtime.

The first extra session was defined by grit rather than fluid offense, with both teams trading free throws and stops. McGhee's composure at the line—two makes in the final minutes—kept the Lakers alive and pushed the contest to a second overtime.

But in the final five minutes, Cortland found just enough separation. A deep three from Kendrick Wilson proved to be the turning point, and despite another strong take from McGhee in transition, the Lakers couldn't quite reel the Red Dragons back in.

WHAT'S NEXT
It will be a quick turnaround for the Lakers who will head to SUNY Morrisville tomorrow for another SUNYAC game set to tip off at 4:00 PM.