The Oswego State men's basketball team slipped past Buffalo State 71-70 behind a 3-pointer in the final 15 seconds by Brian Sortino on Saturday in Max Ziel Gymnasium. Oswego improves to 7-3 overall and 3-1 in the SUNYAC with the win while the Bengals drop to 5-3, 1-3.
Mike Henry of Buffalo State sunk a layup on a put-back with just 16 second remaining in regulation to give the Bengals a 70-68 advantage. Sortino wasted no time to regain the lead for Oswego, dribbling down to the left wing, giving one jab step to create room and launching a trey that found the bottom of the twine. Buffalo State had one more chance as it was afforded a foul with just .06 showing on the clock. The Bengals were unable to sink either free-throw opportunity as Josh Iveygrabbed the rebound after the second errant attempt to secure the victory.
Senior Keith Tyson was crucial in the tilt, recording a team- and season-high 23 points to go along with six rebounds, one steal, one assist and one block. Tyson shot nearly 70.0% from the field (9-for-13) and 66.7% from distance.
Sortino's final minute 3-pointer gave the senior 21 points on the afternoon in addition to a team-high four assists.
Despite fouling out of the contest late in overtime, Mykelle Krecko left his mark. He was the only player from either team to grab double-digit rebounds, finishing with 15. In fact he had more than any other player on just the defensive glass, grabbing 11 boards of that fashion. The senior also swatted six Bengal shot attempts, just one block shy of his season- and career-highs.
Also in double-figures in the point column was Jamir Ferebee, who racked up 14 points in the outing. Ferebee was just one field-goal away from being perfect from the field, finishing 6-for-7 from the floor. Ian Schupp missed double-figures by just one point and added four rebounds and three assists on the day.
Buffalo State and Oswego combined for 12 lead changes and 10 ties over the game, with the Lakers holding the largest margin at 35-25 in the first half. The Bengals' largest lead was only four just five minutes into the second stanza. While most of the statistical categories were close between the pair of squads, Oswego shot the ball much more efficiently. The Lakers made 27 of a possible 54 field-goals, including 56.3% from beyond the arc (9-for-16). Oswego did own a one rebound edge, collecting 36 to Buffalo State's 35.
The Lakers will now rest until the New Year, when they open 2017 with a 5:30 p.m. matchup with Oneonta at home on Friday, Jan. 6.
