CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Game of the Week is the recent men's basketball game between Cortland and Oswego on Feb. 2. In a tight contest, the Red Dragons were able to snap the Lakers' unbeaten streak in conference play, winning 72-67. The Red Dragons triumph was led by Nicky Bonura's (Mount Kisco/Fox Lane) 22 points with both Justin Cooper (Pine Plains/Stissing Mountain) and Kenny Charles (Huntington) adding 15 each.
Game Facts
1st Half
Oswego got off to a hot start going up 7-0 within the opening minutes then holding a 19-11 lead for most of the half. Cortland started to claw back taking the lead at 31-30, behind Bonura's 13 first half points. Quinn Carey (Ponta Vedra, FL/Ponta Vedra) knocked down three 3-pointers in the first half, two of them coming in the final three minutes to regain the lead for the Lakers, sending the home team to the break trailing by two, 35-33.
2nd Half
The game was back and forth in the start of the second half until Oswego's Tyler Pierre (Deer Park/Deer Park) slammed home a two-handed dunk. He then followed that – on the very next possession – with a layup as he was fouled to put the Lakers up 49-44. This was the largest lead until Cortland shifted the course of the game with an 18-3 run over 6:08 to assume a 67-54 advantage with four minutes remaining. This surge from Cortland's offense came from Cooper's 13 second half points. The Lakers fought back cutting the deficit to four with 14.4 seconds left. Oswego's Pierre's double-double of 21 points and 15 rebounds as well as Liam Sanborn's (Staten Island/St. Peter's) 14 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds was not enough to give Oswego the edge as the final score would end 72-67.
Player of the Game
Nicky Bonura was the top scorer of the game with 22 points while also adding four rebounds. He was 9-19 from the field and 2-2 from the free throw line to lead Cortland to the upset.
Game Stats
Cortland
Nicky Bonura: 22 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Kenny Charles: 15 points, 1 block, 1 assist
Justin Cooper: 15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
Total FG %: 51.9%
Oswego
Tyler Pierre: 21 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks
Liam Sanborn: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 block
Total FG %: 39.3%
What's Next
Cortland will be on the road at Plattsburgh this Friday (2/8). Tip-off at 7:30 p.m. The Red Dragons take on the Bears at Potsdam this Saturday (2/9). Tip-off at p.m.
Oswego will also be on the road this Friday (2/8) at Potsdam with the tip-off at 7:30 p.m. The Lakers will be closing out the weekend this Saturday (2/9) at Plattsburgh tip-off at 4 p.m.
