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The Oswego State men`s basketball team held the visiting Cortland Red Dragons to just 33.3% (17-51) from the floor and 19.0% (4-for-21) from three in a pivotal 60-41 SUNYAC victory on Saturday night. Oswego opened the night tied with Cortland in the conference standings and broke that tie with an outstanding defensive performance. The win improves the Lakers to 8-6 in SUNYAC play and 14-7 overall while the Red Dragons fall to 12-9, 7-7.
The Lakers defensive efforts were stunning as the game marked Cortland's worst offensive output since a 67-41 loss to Buffalo State on Feb. 1, 1997.
In the first half, Oswego held the Red Dragons to just 21.4% (6-for-28) shooting in the first half. Cortland could only manage 16 points the entire period, tying the Lakers' lowest opponent point total in a half this season. The mark tied Potsdam's output in the first stanza in a 78-49 Oswego win on Dec. 7.
Oswego owned a nine-point advantage, 25-16, at the half behind Daniel Ross' 15 points. It was Senior Night for the Lakers and Ross, the lone senior, proved his leadership as no other player had more than five points in the opening period.
The Lakers grew its lead throughout the second half, leading by as many as 24 in the waning moments of the game. Oswego scored the first basket of the period to make it an 11-point game and never let its lead dip below double digits the rest of the way.
Ross led all scorers with 26 points on 9-for-17 shooting while adding five rebounds. Point guard Elijah McLaurin was the other Laker scorer in double figures, finishing with 11. Rashawn Powell put up a steady eight points and tied for the team-best for rebounds, grabbing seven along with Mark Candelario.
Oswego will return to action at 8 p.m. on Friday when it travels to Potsdam for another SUNYAC battle.
