Freshman Kyle Covley (Penfield, N.Y.) poured in a career-high seven three-pointers en route to 29 points, leading the Oswego State men's basketball team (13-3, 6-3 SUNYAC) past host New Paltz (6-10, 4-5 SUNYAC), 80-78, Tuesday night, Jan. 22.
Covley's seven treys is the most by any Laker since Kyle Reuter matched that effort in 2008. The school record for a game is eight, which has been done twice in Oswego State men's basketball history. It took every single shot from downtown for the Lakers to outlast the Hawks on Tuesday night.
New Paltz held the Lakers scoreless for 2:52 to start the game, scoring seven points of its own. However, the Lakers countered with a 19-8 run of their own, in which Covley netted two of his long distance buckets.
New Paltz's Shareef Taylor scored 16 of his game-high 29 points in the first stanza to keep the Hawks close, but a Daniel Ross (Jr., Syracuse, N.Y.) three-pointer as time expired in the half gave the Lakers a 44-36 edge at the half.
The first 9:50 of the second half belonged to the Hawks, as they outscored the Lakers 21-6 to gain a 57-50 lead. Senior Brenden Nollet (Hannibal, N.Y.) broke a scoreless stretch of almost four minutes for the Lakers with a layup with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Taylor put back a Matt Devine miss with just under three minutes left to give the Hawks a 73-69 lead, but Covley buried a three and then two free throws on back-to-back possessions to give Oswego State a 74-73 lead.
With just under a minute left, Sean Michele (Sr., East Rochester, N.Y.) hit a jumper while being fouled to give the Lakers a 79-78 lead. He missed his free throw, but grabbed his own rebound, giving the Lakers another possession. Michele finished with nine points, four rebounds and tied his season best with six assists.
The Lakers were able to stop the Hawk offense one more time and Hayden Ward (Sr., Montauk, N.Y.) netted one of two from the foul line before time ran out in the game.
Senior Chris Gilkes (Syracuse, N.Y.) tacked on 16 points and five rebounds for the Lakers in the victory.
The Lakers return home Saturday, Jan. 26. to host the Cortland Red Dragons in a matchup of two 13-3 squads at 8 p.m.
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