The non-conference victory improved Oswego's record to 5-1. Nazareth, playing its first game in two weeks, slipped to 2-2.
Burridge scored 17 of his game-high 26 points in the first half for Oswego, which led by as many as 16 points. The Lakers opened a 25-9 advantage in the first eight minutes before settling for an 11-point lead, 45-34, at the break. Burridge, a 6-foot-7 forward, nailed a three-pointer just before the first half expired to keep Oswego's lead in double digits. The Lakers shot 61.3 percent from the floor (19-for-31) in the first 20 minutes.
In the second half, Nazareth outscored Oswego 14-5 over the first five minutes to close within two, 50-48, on a three-pointer by freshman Rayvon Higdon. Oswego, however, stayed ahead, thanks largely to Franze, a 6-foot-3 swingman who scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half.
Nazareth was still within five points, 74-69, following a basket by freshman Corey McAdam with 1:35 left, but Burridge made four free throws in the final minute and Erik Roberson made two more to preserve the victory for the Lakers.
Junior Tyler Smith led Nazareth with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Joe Canori added 18, McAdam 13 and Jeff DeHimer 10 points and nine rebounds.
Burridge had a game-high 16 rebounds and three blocks to go with his 26 points. Franze grabbed nine rebounds and Roberson added 14 points for the Lakers. Oswego finished the game with a 52.7 shooting percentage, while Nazareth shot just 34.6 percent (28 for 81).
Nazareth is off for another two weeks and then plays home games Dec. 19 (vs. Pitt.-Bradford) and Dec. 21 (vs. Old Westbury).
Newspaper Box Score Oswego State vs Nazareth 12/05/06 7 p.m. at Nazareth College - Kidera Gymnasium At Nazareth College - Kidera Gymnasium OSWEGO STATE 81, NAZARETH 73 OSWEGO STATE (5-1) BURRIDGE, Mat 8-15 9-12 26; FRANZE, Todd 8-17 4-7 20; ROBERSON, Erik 4-6 4-5 14; DOWNING, Tom 4-9 0-0 8; REUTER, Kyle 2-5 3-6 7; WHITE, Dominick 2-2 0-1 4; JABBI, Mahamoud 1-1 0-2 2; JENKINS, Chris 0-0 0-0 0; JONES, Marshall 0-0 0-0 0; SCHUPP, Ryan 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 29-55 20-33 81. NAZARETH (2-2) Tyler Smith 10-16 0-0 20; Joe Canori 5-16 8-8 18; Corey McAdam 4-16 5-7 13; Jeff DeHimer 5-11 0-1 10; Rayvon Higdon 2-10 0-0 6; Brian Ameneiros 1-8 0-0 3; Leon Hill 1-4 0-0 3; Joe Mihalich 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 28-81 13-16 73. Oswego State.................. 45 36 - 81 Nazareth...................... 34 39 - 73 3-point goals-Oswego State 3-10 (ROBERSON, Erik 2-4; BURRIDGE, Mat 1-1; DOWNING, Tom 0-3; REUTER, Kyle 0-2), Nazareth 4-21 (Rayvon Higdon 2-7; Brian Ameneiros 1-6; Leon Hill 1-1; Corey McAdam 0-2; Joe Canori 0-5). Fouled out--Oswego State-WHITE, Dominick, Nazareth-Corey McAdam. Rebounds-Oswego State 44 (BURRIDGE, Mat 16), Nazareth 45 (Tyler Smith 12). Assists-Oswego State 8 (DOWNING, Tom 4), Nazareth 17 (Corey McAdam 7). Total fouls-Oswego State 15, Nazareth 23. A-500