Oswego, NY – Battling one of the SUNYAC's top teams stride for stride in stretches, Oswego took on Cortland Saturday afternoon inside Max Ziel Gym, but ultimately fell 66-43 to the Red Dragons.
 
BASICS 
Oswego: 43 (9-14, 7-9 SUNYAC)
Cortland: 66 (20-3, 15-1 SUNYAC)
Max Ziel Gymnasium | Oswego, NY
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Oswego showed early fight against the conference-leading Red Dragons matching baskets in the opening minutes and briefly tying the game at 4-4 after a Sophie Bissaillon three-pointer off a Kaeli McAnally assist. But Cortland's defensive pressure and efficient inside scoring created separation late in the first quarter, and a decisive second period ultimately proved too much to overcome.

The Lakers trailed just 18-10 after the opening frame, but Cortland's 19-8 advantage in the second quarter stretched the margin to 37-18 at halftime. Oswego struggled to find rhythm offensively, shooting 34 percent from the floor and 1-of-12 from beyond the arc, while the Red Dragons capitalized on points in the paint and timely free-throw shooting to maintain control.

Despite the deficit, the Lakers continued to compete on both ends. Madison Aikens sparked the third-quarter effort for Oswego with aggressive drives to the rim, while Bri Weaver provided energy off the bench, finishing with nine points and four steals. Giavanna White-Principio led the Lakers with 10 points and seven rebounds, battling inside against a physical Cortland frontcourt.

Zhane Holmes added six points and a team-high six assists, helping facilitate Oswego's offense, and Sydney Hoefs chipped in four points and six rebounds. The Lakers' bench contributed 23 points, highlighted by Aikens' eight and Weaver's nine, showing the depth and resilience that has defined much of Oswego's conference play.

Cortland was paced by Joleen Lusk's 15 points and Brooke Tillotson's 14, with the visitors shooting over 40 percent from the field and knocking down 14 free throws. A strong fourth quarter, in which the Red Dragons shot nearly 73 percent, sealed the final margin.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Lakers will remain home next weekend and take on the Fredonia Blue Devils on Friday February 20^th at 5:30 PM.