Sortino shines, Lakers advance in overtime win against Buffalo State
Brian Sortino scored a career-high 48 points and the Oswego State Lakers clinched their third-straight trip to the SUNYAC Final in a 84–83 overtime thriller over the Buffalo State Bengals Friday night in Oswego.
Sortino was the star of the night, shooting 13-of-25 from the field, five-of-seven on three-point attempts, and 17-of-19 from the charity stripe.
“He just had a look in his eye tonight that was just special,” Oswego head coach Jason Leone said.
The senior also gathered nine rebounds and had six assists with one of those helpers being the biggest play of the night.
Down by one as the final seconds ticked away in the overtime period. Sortino brought the ball up into the Bengals half court and was immediately tripled-teamed.The Fairport native got pressured out beyond the wing but when he turned around, he saw teammate Jamir Ferebee waiting underneath the basket.
“I just see Jamir jumping up and down,” Sortino said.
“I was certain Brian would see me,” Ferebee said.
Sortino fired the ball to the open Ferebee who put the ball of the glass. It was then blocked by Buffalo State, but called for goaltending. It awarded the Lakers two points, and the lead.
The Bengals would have one final chance with 7.3 seconds left on the clock. The play was set up perfectly with Ryniek Holloway having open three-point attempt that could of sent Buffalo State to its first SUNYAC final since 2011, but the shot hit front rim, the buzzer sounded and a raucous Max Ziel Gymnasium went into pure ecstasy.
The game was a back and forth affair all night, with 25 lead changes and neither team leading by more than six. Lakers head coach Jason Leone was proud of his team’s resilience.
“We made plays when we had to make them,” Leone said.
Buffalo State was led by seniors Lovell Smith and Jordan Glover. Smith had a team-high 29 points and nine rebounds. Glover had 14 points and four assists.
“They were unbelievable tonight,” Leone said.
Smith gave the Bengals gave their final lead with 19 seconds left in overtime. The Buffalo native created his own three point play when he spun around Oswego senior Keith Tyson underneath the basket. He made the layup off the glass while also drawing the foul.
Smith’s free throw made it 83–82. Bengals head coach Fajri Ansari called a timeout to set up his defense. But they couldn’t stop the game winning play from happening.
Ferebee and junior transfer Ian Schupp were the other Lakers in double figures with Ferebee scoring 14 points and gathering seven rebounds. Schupp scored 12 points with all of his points coming from his four three-pointers made.
In all three matchups this season between the Lakers and Bengals, the game was decided by one point.
“It was a shame somebody had to walk away with a loss,” Leone said.
Oswego will host Oneonta Saturday at 4 p.m. with an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament on the line.
