Oswego State's Nicholas Perioli (Liverpool) hit the game-winning shot with six seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Laker men's basketball team to the ECAC Upstate Tournament title as they scored a 77-75 win over rival Brockport on Saturday, March 5th at Laker Hall.
With the game tied heading into the final minute of the extra session, Perioli drained a 3-pointer to put the hosts in front 75-72. That lead was short lived as, on the ensuing possession, Brockport's Kellan Skrine (Henrietta) hit from behind the arc knotting the score again.
Perioli then hit what turned out to be the winning shot not only giving the Lakers the tournament crown, but also wrapping up Most Valuable Player honors. The guard finished with a game-high 23 points and dished out four assists.
The teams remained close throughout as no team led by more than seven points. There were also 15 ties in the game.
One of those ties came at the end of regulation when the Lakers battled back from four points down in the last 1:27. Ben Oliver (Batavia) sank a pair of free throws before Mat Burridge (Hannibal) hit a shot from in the paint with 18 seconds left in regulation.
Burridge and Dave Ponza (Solvay) added to the Oswego State win with 14 points apiece, while Oliver chipped in with 11.
The win also gave the Lakers a perfect 15-0 record at Laker Hall this season. Overall, Oswego State finished the year 25-6 with the 25 wins a new school record.
For Brockport, Brandon Williams (Rochester) had his second straight double-double in the tournament as the sophomore netted 20 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. Dave Maldonado (West Babylon) added 11 points for the Golden Eagles.
Brockport finished the season with a record of 18-10.