OSWEGO, NY - The Lakers hosted the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons for a SUNYAC conference game following their win against SUNY Potsdam last week. 
 
THE BASICS
Oswego 79 (16-8)
Cortland 45 (13-11)
 
Location: Max Ziel Gymnasium / SUNY Oswego / Oswego, NY
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Oswego opened the game with intensity, as Gary McLane put the first points on the board with a jumper following a steal by Ahkee Anderson. Cortland quickly answered with a three-pointer, but the Lakers matched it, taking a 5-3 lead with 18:30 remaining. The Red Dragons tied the score with two free throws before Cole Kattan pushed Oswego ahead with a three-pointer. A stretch of scoreless play ended when Anderson knocked down a jumper, followed by another from Deacon Judd to extend the lead. The Lakers controlled the pace, capitalizing on Cortland's sloppy play. With 13 minutes left, McLane added a layup, putting Oswego ahead 14-5. Cortland ended a seven-minute scoring drought with a three-pointer, but Billy Reyes immediately answered with one of his own. McLane then intercepted a pass and finished with a layup, fueling Oswego's momentum. The Lakers continued to execute efficiently, with Judd converting a three-point play and Anderson adding another layup to push the lead to 26-9. Steven Bradley drew a foul on a layup, converting the extra free throw to make it 29-9 with under five minutes left. McLane's three-pointer extended the margin beyond 20 points before Arthur Foster's free throws forced a Cortland timeout at 34-9. The Red Dragons broke another long scoreless stretch with a three-pointer, but McLane quickly responded with a layup. Xavier Allen closed out the half with a three-pointer, sending Oswego into the locker room with a dominant 39-14 lead.
 
Cortland opened the second half with possession but missed their first shot, allowing Oswego to secure the defensive rebound and Cole Kattan to drain a three-pointer. The Lakers quickly extended their lead to 30 after Deacon Judd converted a layup off an Ahkee Anderson steal. Judd then added two free throws, though Cortland responded with a layup as they began to find some offensive rhythm. Despite this, Oswego maintained control, with Judd answering another Cortland push with a layup to keep the margin comfortable at 48-25. Anderson drew a foul and sank both free throws before Arthur Foster swished a three-pointer to make it 53-25 with ten minutes remaining. The Lakers continued to execute efficiently, as Judd assisted Anderson on a jumper, then found Xavier Allen, who drew a foul and added one free throw. After a brief scoreless stretch, both teams exchanged fouls, each adding two free throws. Out of a Cortland timeout, Kattan hit a jumper, followed by Xavier Allen capitalizing on a turnover with a jumper and a layup. With 5:30 left, Cortland knocked down a three-pointer, but Oswego remained firmly in control with a 64-31 lead. After a Cortland free throw, Kenny Lazo answered with a three-pointer, and Rashawn Grant followed with back-to-back layups. Jorel Monroe added to the Lakers' total after a full timeout, driving in for a layup to make it 73-40 with 2:40 left. As the clock wound down, Jaden Kennedy hit a three-pointer, and Lazo, after a steal, drew a foul and converted one free throw. The final seconds ticked away as the players dribbled out the clock, sealing Oswego's dominant 79-45 victory.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Men's Basketball Team will be honoring their graduating senior players as they return to the court tomorrow at 4:00PM. The Lakers will be playing against SUNY Morrisville for another SUNYAC game. 

Written by Jillian Kraus