A Quick Look
The SUNY Oneonta men's basketball team came up short today at home versus Oswego 63-53.  Despite the setback, the Red Dragons have clinched a playoff spot while the Lakers have clinched the No. 1 overall seed with the win.
 
"Tonight was a tough game," said Head Coach Cameron Conover.  "Oswego plays really physical, and they are a good defensive team.  Our guys played a lot of minutes this weekend, and I think we got a little worn down.  We will enjoy a day off to rest and catch up on schoolwork and we will learn from this game and get better."
 
The Inside Story
A fall away three-pointer by junior Michael Ortale Jr. (Bethlehem, NY/Bethlehem Central) capped nine unanswered points for Oneonta (15-8, 11-5 SUNYAC) pulling them to within five points at 56-51 with just under four minutes remaining in regulation.  Oswego's (21-2, 15-1 SUNYAC) Brandon Mulson scored on back-to-back possessions pushing the lead back to nine points at the 2:04 mark.
 
The two teams exchanged free throws over the final two minutes for the final.
 
A quick 7-3 spurt by Oneonta to open the second half closed its halftime deficit to 34-30.  The Lakers countered with seven unanswered to push their lead back to double digits.  Oswego was able to push back on every run that Oneonta made at them in the contest.
 
Oswego's Jeremiah Sparks hit the game's opening shot from behind the arc, which put the Lakers out front.  The visitors led by as many as 10 points late in the first half and carried a 31-23 advantage into the break.  Oneonta got as close as five points on two occasions after falling behind by double-digits with just over eight minutes to go. 
 
Just the Stats
Three players scored in double figures for Oneonta today led by junior Dylan Trombley (Moriah, NY/Moriah) who posted 15 points.  Sophomore Frankie Williams (Bronx, NY/Fannie Lou) contributed 14 points while Ortale Jr. added 11 points to go with nine boards.
 
The Red Dragons outrebounded the Lakers 48-41 with 20 of its rebounds being off the offensive glass.
 
What's Next
Oneonta will play its final weekend of the regular season at home beginning Friday night versus Potsdam at 7:30pm.
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