OSWEGO, N.Y. – This time their comeback was not enough. The 14th-ranked Oswego State (26-4) men’s basketball team trailed by 10 in the second half and by five in the first overtime, but a three-pointer by 21st-ranked Eastern Connecticut State University (24-5) with 2.5 seconds left in double overtime handed the Lakers a 70-69 loss in the second round of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament at Max Ziel Gymnasium on Saturday night.
The Lakers seemed to be in trouble early in the second half, but the Warriors went through an eight-minute stretch in which they scored just one field goal, opening the door for a comeback.
Oswego State’s senior captain Chad Burridge (Hannibal, N.Y.) had one more big game for the Lakers and the home crowd to lead the comeback effort. Burridge hit a pair of three-pointers and scored 12 straight Oswego State points to cut the lead to one on two occasions during the run.
Finally, with 5:43 left in regulation Hayden Ward (Jr., Montauk, N.Y.) gave the Lakers their first lead of the half when he hit three straight free throws for a 50-49 Oswego State advantage.
The two teams traded points over the next 90 seconds, but it was a three-pointer by Ryan Sheridan (Sr., Blauvelt, N.Y.) that rimmed out that could have earned Oswego State even more momentum. It was one of a handful of Laker shots in the game that appeared good, but were denied by an unfavorable bounce off the rim.
After neither team scored for over two minutes, an old-fashioned three-point play by the Warriors’ Jamie Kohn put the visitors up 54-52 with 1:33 to play.
The two teams each missed three-point shots on the following possessions before Ward was back at the line with 32 seconds left. The junior hit both shots to tie the game at 54.
After Eastern Connecticut State University missed a well-defended shot, the Lakers were headed to overtime for the second straight night.
The Warriors went on a 6-1 run in the first four minutes of the overtime, but a three-pointer by Sean Michele (Sr., East Rochester, N.Y.) with 15 seconds left gave the Lakers new hope.
Eastern Connecticut State University missed both free throw attempts on the other end and the Lakers brought the ball up the floor, down 60-58.
Michele drove the lane and found an open Chris Gilkes (Jr., Syracuse, N.Y.) right under the basket with three tenths of the second left, sending the game to a second overtime.
Ward hit a three early in the second overtime and Burridge added a free throw, but a quick 5-0 run put the Warriors up 65-64 with 1:50 to play.
Ward put the Lakers back in front with a bucket in the paint and a Warrior miss allowed Oswego State to run some time off the clock.
Ryan Sheridan (Sr., Blauvelt, N.Y.) drew a foul with one second left on the shot clock and hit both free throws for a 68-65 lead.
However, the Warriors put back an offense rebound and fouled Michele with 12.1 seconds left, to keep their hopes alive.
Michele made one free throw and the Warriors came down the floor, and had Brian Salzillo take a deep three-pointer from the top of the key. Salzillo hit his third three-pointer of the game for a 70-69 Warrior lead with 2.5 seconds left.
Much like the night before, Burridge threw a long pass to Ward at the top of the key for one final shot, but the Warriors defended it well and the attempt was well short, ending the game and the Lakers’ season.
Burridge finished with 27 points and eight rebounds to lead Oswego State, while Ward added 13 points and Gilkes chipped in 10.
Eastern Connecticut State University was led by Salzillo’s 15 points and three others in double figures. The Warriors were able to build their first-half lead thanks a trio of late three-pointers, including two that were banked in off the backboard. Eastern Connecticut State University extended a 20-19 lead with 7:25 left in the half to 36-26 at the break with the second three-pointer off the glass.
It was the second straight season the Lakers saw their season end in the second round of the tournament to team from the Little East Conference. Rhode Island College knocked off the Lakers last season.
The 26 wins this season set a program record for wins in a single season and the six seniors on the team graduate with a four-year record of 78-33.
March 15, 2012
Burridge Garners NABC First Team All-America Honors
March 3, 2012
Comeback Effort By Oswego Ends in 70-69 Double OT Loss
February 29, 2012
Cortland Defeats Alfred, 76-69, to Win ECAC Upstate New York Title
February 27, 2012
Oswego Men's Basketball To Host NCAA First and Second Rounds
February 25, 2012
NCAA Bound: Oswego Claims First SUNYAC Title Since 1965
February 24, 2012
Oswego Reaches Title Game With 64-57 Win Over Brockport
February 22, 2012
Oswego Men's Basketball Prepared To Host SUNYAC Final Four
February 21, 2012
Oswego Men's Basketball Keeps Moving In Poll; Lakers Now at No. 14
February 21, 2012
Ivy Leads the Way to the Second Round for Brockport
February 21, 2012
Red Dragons Advance to SUNYAC Semifinals With 75-60 Win vs. Plattsburgh
February 21, 2012
Oswego Men's Basketball Advances With 73-62 Win Over New Paltz
February 21, 2012
Geneseo Advances Past Fredonia in SUNYAC Quarterfinals
February 20, 2012
Men's Basketball Tournament Quick Facts
February 13, 2012
Ward Chosen As SUNYAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week
February 8, 2012
Oswego Men's Basketball Ranked No. 2 In NCAA East Regional Rankings
February 6, 2012
Bryant selected SUNYAC and ECAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week
February 6, 2012
Oswego Men's Basketball Climbs Up To 18th in D3hoops.com Poll
January 30, 2012
Manning Tabbed Men's Basketball Player of the Week
January 30, 2012
Oswego Men's Basketball Listed At No. 22 in D3hoops.com Poll
January 27, 2012
Suits and Sneakers Awareness Weekend, Jan. 27-29
January 23, 2012
Simmons Garners SUNYAC and ECAC Men's Basketball Weekly Honor
January 17, 2012
Green Named SUNYAC Player of the Week
January 10, 2012
Riefenhauser Named SUNYAC Player of the Week
January 3, 2012
Mitchell Named SUNYAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week
December 20, 2011
Deane '74 selected for N.Y.S. Basketball Hall of Fame
December 12, 2011
Burridge Named SUNYAC and ECAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week
December 7, 2011
Buffalo State Men's Basketball Jumps to 14th in National Poll
November 29, 2011
Buffalo State Men's Basketball Climbs to 16th in National Poll
November 28, 2011
Matt Devine Picked as SUNYAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week
November 21, 2011
Bryant is SUNYAC's Weekly Pick
October 26, 2011
Burridge and Simmons Tabbed by Sporting News Magazine
October 19, 2011
Burridge Named D3hoops.com Pre-Season Honorable Mention All-American
September 13, 2011
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September 9, 2011
Jason Leone Named Oswego State Men's Basketball Coach