The Oswego State women's basketball team was undone by an Alvernia University second-quarter run despite monster numbers for Zana Dillard, eventually falling 60-51 in the consolation game of the Max Ziel Tournament on Saturday afternoon. With the loss, the Lakers are 0-3 on the year while the Crusaders improve to 2-1.
For the second-straight contest, Dillard recorded 24 rebounds, a career-high, to aid in her second double-double in as many days. The sophomore's 13 points not only led the Lakers in the game, it set a new career-mark that had just been set on Friday night against Wells College. She was 5-for-8 from the field to go along with three steals and an assist. Dillard's outstanding two-day performance landed her a spot on the All-tournament Team.
Also scoring in double figures for Oswego was junior guard Mary Mazzella, who recorded 11 points. Mazzella filled the stat sheet as well, collecting five rebounds, stealing three Crusader possessions and distributing two assists. Courtney Ameele and Kayla Tucek each finished with three steals and two assists, while Ameele added to blocks to her outing.
Oswego started the game fast, getting out to a 9-3 advantage and holding that margin at 17-11 heading into the second quarter. The next 10 minutes would be a different story for the Lakers, as the Crusaders outscored the home team 27-6 in the second. That span gave Alvernia a 38-26 lead heading to the locker rooms.
The Lakers would rally several times in the second half, cutting the deficit to six points on three separate occasions. Oswego could not close the gap any further in the final two quarters.
Oswego will return to action at 6 p.m. on Tuesday when it travels to face the University of Rochester Yellowjackets.
