The Oswego State women’s basketball team returned to the court for the 2012-13 seasons in a 49-29 exhibition loss to Queen’s University (Canada) on Friday night at Max Ziel Gymnasium.
The Lakers struggled immensely from the field in the opening half, as they shot just 1-for-24, good for 4.2 percent. Their lone field goal was a three-pointer from freshman guard Taylor Sorrell, only one of 14 shots from behind the arc to fall.
Senior guard and team captain Kari Kipper said the issue for the Lakers, when it came to offense, was the pressure and size of Queen’s.
“I think the biggest problem was handling their pressure on defense, because they’re so big,” Kipper said. “We were rushing our shots.”
Oswego State scored just nine points in the first half. On the other side of the court, the Gaels shot only 29.6 percent in the half, but were still able to take a commanding 21-9 lead at the midway point.
The Lakers were able to pick things up in the second half, going 7-of-26 from the floor for 26.9 percent, bringing the total to 16 percent on the night. They were not able, however, to keep Queen’s from scoring, as the Gaels totaled 28 points to the Lakers’ 20 in the half en route to a 49-29 victory.
One positive for the Lakers were the amount of turnovers they created. Oswego State forced 14 Queen’s turnovers and was able to generate eight points off of them. The Lakers were also to maintain a close margin in rebounds, as they were only outrebounded 46-44.
“Overall I think everybody played pretty well,” Kipper said. “Our defense was solid. We struggled on offense, but once we get more used to playing with each other, the shots will fall, and both components, our offense and defense, will come together.”
No player in the game totaled double-digit points. Kipper tied a game-high mark with eight points. She also was second on the team with six rebounds, behind junior forward Paula Egelston, who had a game-high eight. Senior forward and captain Megan Stover was second in points for Oswego State with five.
Junior guard Liz Hoag led the Gaels with eight points. Freshman forward Robyn Pearson had a game-high eight rebounds for Queen’s. Junior Hannah Koposhynska was second on the team with six points and seven rebounds.
Kipper said the team would use the game as a learning experience, and as a tool to know what to work on in the days leading up to the regular season opener.
“We’re definitely working on shooting a lot more,” Kipper said. “We’ve been working on our press and our defense. We’re taking all of the components from the preseason and building on them as the foundation as we get into our regular season play.”
The Lakers begin their regular season on Friday, Nov. 16 when they will host SUNYIT at 6 p.m. in the first round of the Max Ziel Women’s Basketball Tournament. The other two participants in the tournament will be D’Youville and Cobleskill. Oswego State will play one of the two teams in either the consolation or championship game on Saturday, Nov. 17.
