The Oswego State men's basketball team closed out the home portion of the schedule in exciting fashion as Ben Oliver (Batavia) sank a 3-pointer with 1:32 remaining to give the Lakers the lead for good. That shot lifted the hosts to a 56-54 win over Plattsburgh on Tuesday, February 15th at Laker Hall.
Mat Burridge (Hannibal) sealed the win with a lay-up and free throw, while Oliver added one more shot from the stripe to finalize the victory.
The Lakers improved to 19-5 on the season and 10-5 in the SUNY Athletic Conference. The 19th win puts the current team one win shy of tying the school record for most wins in a season. The record of 20 was set in the 1958-59 season. Oswego State also finished the home schedule with a perfect 11-0 mark at Laker Hall.
The loss put the Cardinals at 14-9 overall and 8-6 in the conference.
Ahmad Mims (North Syracuse) had a huge game for the Lakers with 12 points, 11 rebounds and eight blocked shots. Burridge added 13 points and six rebounds, while Oliver finished with 12 points and seven assists.
Kris Gibbs-Smith (Rochester) scored 16 points for Plattsburgh and Curtis Smith (Brooklyn) added 14.
Oswego State led 24-21 at the half, but the Cardinals got off to a fast start going on a 13-2 run. Plattsburgh went on to hold a 45-34 lead before the hosts went on a 22-9 run over the final nine minutes to complete the comeback.
The Lakers close out the regular season on Saturday, February 19th at Buffalo State in an 8 p.m. start.