(Information courtesy of Oswego Sports Information Department)
CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Game of the Week comes from the men's basketball conference matchup between Oswego and Plattsburgh last Friday. The Lakers hosted the Cardinals, hoping to knock down a nationally-ranked team to continue their perfect record in conference play. Meanwhile, the Cardinals hoped to hand Oswego their first conference loss this season, moving up in the ranks among SUNYAC teams.
Game Facts
First Half
Jonathan Patron made a jumper just seconds into the game to put Plattsburgh on the board first. The Cardinals would manage to stay ahead of Oswego throughout most of the half, as the Lakers would only be able to wrestle away the lead from the Cardinals twice, both instances occurring within the first four minutes of the match. Patron sank two 3-pointers in a 30 second stretch to expand Plattsburgh's lead as the game progressed; his teammate Brandon Johnson sank a shot outside the arc to give the Cardinals a 12 point lead - the largest they would have in the entire game - with 10:06 left to play in the half. Despite the momentum carried by Plattsburgh, Oswego managed to rally back. A 3-pointer by Allen Durutovic began to chip away at the Lakers' deficit, bringing the difference between the two teams back to within single digits. A few consecutive layups from Durutovic later on further slimmed Plattsburgh's lead. Both teams would play the rest of the half neck and neck, with the halftime score ending with Plattsburgh leading 48-45. Patron and Johnson made 16 points and 15 points, respectively, while Ian Howard grabbed four rebounds for the Cardinals. Oswego's first-half offense was lead by Tyler Pierre, who made 14 points, while Liam Sanborn gathered four assists. Durutovic and Joe Sullivan each grabbed four boards.
Second Half
Johnson got things started in the second half for Plattsburgh after getting fouled by Pierre, making one of two free throws. From there, neither team backed down, keeping the game close. Oswego grabbed its first lead over Plattsburgh in the second half after a layup from Sullivan, and later on, the Lakers would make four-consecutive shots, starting with a 3-point basket sank in by Sanborn, putting the team up by eight points - the largest lead the Lakers would have in the second half. Though Plattsburgh wittled down the lead as the game continued, a Pierre layup put Oswego back up by eight with 7:37 left on the clock. From here, however, the Cardinals would tie the game when Chris Middleton sank a trey, and reclaim the lead when Ian Howard made a basket of his own. Though two three throws made by Sullivan put Oswego back up by five with less than four minutes to go, the Cardinals would bring the game down to the wire with less than 30 seconds, when a foul by Oswego's Brandan Gartland put Patron at the foul line. The senior made his first free throw attempt which tied the game at 84, but after his second attempt missed, Gartland grabbed a huge defensive board that gave Oswego a chance to win the game. With the ball in his hands, Sanborn ran the clock to less than 10 seconds and beat his primary defender to the lane. With a Cardinal post player stepping up to take away the layup, the sophomore floated a shot off the backboard and in with 3.9 seconds showing on the clock. A 40-foot desperation heave for Plattsburgh missed to the right at the final buzzer.
Click here to watch Sanborn's game-winning layup
Player of the Game
Though it was Sanborn's heroics that came to power the Lakers over a tough Plattsburgh squad during the final seconds of the contest, his teammate Tyler Pierre put up a strong offensive showing throughout the game, allowing the Lakers to keep up with Plattsburgh's offense. The senior scored 22 points, while shooting quite well from the floor, making 10 of his 11 shots. Additionally, Pierre also made a couple of free throws, leading his team in scoring.
Inside the Stats
- Oswego shot quite well from the floor during both the first and second halfs, at 62.1% and 60.0%, respectively. Plattsburgh made 51.5% of their baskets in the first half, while shooting 44.4% in the second half.
- Plattsburgh made five 3-pointers (62.50%) in the first half, but suffered in the second half, making only two 3-point baskets in 12 attempts (16.67%). Oswego struggled somewhat behind the 3-point line in the first half, shooting 27.27%. The second half was a different story, however, as the Lakers made five 3-pointers, shooting at 55.56%.
- Plattsburgh made 81.8% of their free throws in the first half, followed by 76.9% in the second half. Oswego shot 85.7% from the foul line in the first half, while making 66.7% of their free throws in the second half of the contest.
- Jonathan Patron's performance was the eighth time he recorded at least 20 points in a game this season (As of 1/23, he has acheived this feat nine times).
- Tyler Pierre's 22 points are tied for the most he's scored in a game this year; the other instance happened on 12/07 against Buffalo State.
Game Leaders
Plattsburgh
- Field goals: Jonathan Patron - 10
- Three point field goals: Brandon Johnson/Jonathan Patron - 2
- Points: Jonathan Patron - 28
- Assists: Brandon Johnson/Jonathan Patron - 3
- Rebounds: Ian Howard - 11
Oswego
- Field goals: Tyler Pierre - 10
- Three point field goals: Quinn Carey - 3
- Points: Tyler Pierre - 22
- Assists: Liam Sanborn - 9
- Rebounds: Joe Sullivan - 8
What's Next
Oswego: Since defeating Plattsburgh, the Lakers won against Potsdam Tuesday 72-70. They will host Fredonia on Friday, Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m. hoping to continue their perfect record in conference play.
Plattsburgh: Following their heartbreaking loss to Oswego, the Cardinals lost a closely fought contest to Cortland last Saturday 65-63. Though the two-consecutive losses stripped Plattsburgh of their national ranking on the latest d3hoops.com men's Top 25 poll, they hope to bounce back when they host Brockport on Friday, Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
