Oswego, NY - One of the Empire 8's best, Houghton Highlanders, came into the Ziel to take on the Lakers. Despite 4 Lakers scoring in double figures, Oswego fell victim to a last second buzzer-beater.  

BASICS 
Oswego 74 (9-12, 7-7 SUNYAC)
Houghton 75 (16-5, 8-5 Empire 8)
Maz Ziel Gymnasium | Oswego, NY 

HOW IT HAPPENED 
The Lakers started things off hot going on a quick 6-0 run. It was three different scores for Oswego but the Highlanders responded with a 6-0 run themselves. Squared away at six early but Oswego found a catalyst in their offense named Sarah Hirschler. Hirschler had seven of Oswego's next eleven points. During this run Zhane Holmes also got her second basket of the night. The Lakers ended the quarter with a Sydney Hoefs heave that gave them a seven-point lead over Houghton. 
 
Giavanna White-Principio kept her good night going as well as Bri Weaver coming off the bench and scoring five straight. The Highlanders got a boost from Samantha Roadruck as she cut the lead to just four after consecutive buckets. White-Principio kept responding and keeping the Lakers lead a good distance from the Highlanders. Scoring slowed for both squads momentarily before Bri Weaver continued her offensive spark scoring four more points to close out the first half. After twenty minutes, the Lakers had a 39-31 lead. 

Zhane Holmes was ready for action as she helped the Lakers build on their lead scoring a couple opening baskets in the third. Although the Lakers were clicking, Houghton stayed within striking distance. The Highlanders then made their big move going on a 10-0 run to tie the game up at 48. It was the first tie since 0-0. Oswego took a deep breath and got a deuce from Holmes and a three ball from Weaver. The Lakers were now up five. The game then flipped upside down. The Highlanders, in just a minute and 44 seconds, went on a 11-0 run that finished with back-to-back threes from Houghton's Anna Dening. In the blink of an eye, Oswego was down six. 

Houghton continued expanding their lead with four straight points from Houghton's star Tabitha Devries. After a three from Quinn Pence and Maddison Guillory, it was evident Oswego wasn't going anywhere. Juliette Huguet would turn good defense into good offense, Quinn Pence hit another jumper, and the Lakers found themselves only down one. Guillory then went one for two from the charity stripe and we were all tied up at 68. With the fans really starting to get into it, Houghton yet again stepped up with some big-time shots and went on a 5-0 run. The Lakers took a timeout to regroup and try to get an offensive gameplan to get themselves back in this. Guillory had a pair of free throws and made one to cut the lead to just four. White-Principio grabbed the offense board off Guillory's miss and then found a layup to cut the lead to just 2 for Houghton. After the Lakers forced a turnover at the other end, Zhane Holmes was left wide open for a three and she came up huge for the Lakers. Holmes knocked it down to give the Lakers a lead with 1.4 seconds left on the game clock. Houghton then took a timeout and drew up a nice play to find an open cutter to the game away in a nail-biter. After a relentless fight from the Lakers and a last second heave, the Highlanders came away victorious, 75-74. 

WHAT'S NEXT
The Lakers look to bounce back as they welcome in Morrisville on Friday. The Mustangs come into the game 1-21 on the season. Tipoff for this contest will be at 5:30.


Written by: Luke Belanger