The Oswego State men's basketball team defeated the Plattsburgh Cardinals 83-82 at Memorial Arena on Friday evening. Oswego is now 10-4 and 6-1 in the SUNYAC on the year, while the Cardinals fall to 6-7 and 2-5 in the conference.
Following a 9-5 Plattsburgh run to start the game, where the Cardinals went 3-for-3 (100%) from the field and 3-for-4 (75%) from the charity stripe, Oswego immediately turned it around. The Lakers went on their biggest run of the game, notching 11-straight points.
Ian Schupp and Brian Sortino exceled in the two-guard set, scoring eight of the team's 11 during the stretch and also scoring 11 apiece during the opening 20 minutes. The two players combined to shoot 8-for-13 (61.5%) from the field, including 5-for-8 (62.5%) from behind the arc in the first.
The preseason All-American began the second half with a deep ball, immediately giving Oswego a 47-44 lead. After his three-ball, Sortino came back down the court and slipped through the defense for an easy layup. Schupp extended the half-opening run with a jumper before Jamir Ferebee scored six-straight.
With the 13-2 run in the first 4:23 of the second, Oswego's lead reached 11. Yet, the Cardinals did not fade away.
Sortino completed his stat line with six assists in the first half and after dishing out six more in the second, tallied 12. It was the guard's first-career game with double-digit assists, while also marking his first double-double as he finished with 25 points.
Mykelle Krecko made his return to the lineup after playing minimal time in the previous few games. The big man made his presence felt almost immediately, especially on the defensive glass. Krecko notched 12 boards, while adding six points and a couple of blocks.
Keith Tyson, a senior, added eight points. Other contributions totaled 35 points from Ferebee (19) and Schupp (16).
Men's basketball returns to the hardwood at 2 p.m. on Saturday, wrapping up their trip to the North Country with a conference matchup against the Potsdam Bears.
