Late Three-Point Play by Ward Gives Oswego State 81-80 Win

BROCKPORT, N.Y. – Hayden Ward (Sr., Montauk, N.Y.) cashed in on an old-fashioned three-point play with 10 seconds remaining as the Oswego State men's basketball team (5-1, 2-1 SUNYAC) battled past State University of New York Athletic Conference foe Brockport (2-3, 0-1 SUNYAC) with an 81-80 win on Tuesday night.

Ward notched 27 points and nine rebounds on the night, continuing his impressive scoring trend of four straight games over 20 points. Seniors Chris Gilkes (Syracuse, N.Y.) and Sean Michele (East Rochester, N.Y.) chipped in 16 and 11 points of their own to help the Lakers past the Golden Eagles.

On this night, the Lakers weathered 29 points from Brockport's John Ivy and 14-for-28 shooting from downtown by the Golden Eagles. Brockport led by as much as seven in the first half, but Oswego State closed the stanza on a 14-3 run to earn a 44-38 halftime lead.

After a Michele three-pointer with 3:30 left in the game tied the score up at 74, Ward scored the final seven points for the Lakers to give them the narrow victory.

Ivy buried a jumper with 27 seconds left before Ward scored on the and-one play and converted the free throw. A desperation three-pointer by Brockport's Bobby Bell didn't fall, ending the game with a win for the Lakers.

Oswego State hits the road again on Saturday, as the Lakers will travel to face the Ithaca Bombers at 4 p.m.