ELMIRA, N.Y. – Behind 22 points from senior Brandan Gartland, the Oswego State men's basketball team defeated Ithaca, 85-80, in their season opener at the Elmira College Tip-Off Tournament.

THE BASICS

• Final Score:  Oswego 85, Ithaca 80
• Location:  Speidel Gymnasium – Elmira, N.Y.
• Records:  Oswego 1-0 | Ithaca 0-1

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Gartland went 5-for-8 from the floor, including 4-for-5 from deep in scoring 16 points to pace Oswego to a 48-36 lead at the half.
• Both teams shot well from the floor (53.3%-52.9%) in the opening half, with the difference being an eight-to-two advantage from distance for the Lakers.
• In the second half, Ithaca closed the gap to five with 11 minutes left, but an 8-1 run, fueled by a pair of buckets by sophomore Julien Crittendon, helped push Oswego back to a double-digit lead.
• The Bombers closed to 84-80 on a three-pointer with 11 seconds remaining, but would not score again.
• Freshman Jeremiah Sparks and Crittendon each finished with 15 points while senior Joe Sullivan had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
• Junior Liam Sanborn directed the offense with nine points and eight assists.
• Oswego outscored Ithaca 19-12 in bench points and won the rebounding battle 45-31.

WHAT'S NEXT

The men are back in action tomorrow at 4 p.m. as they take on the winner of Elmira and Keystone being played later this evening.