Last Time Out
The Oswego State Lakers took on the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons, where Oswego State lost 68-54 after a 11-point lead at halftime. Courtney Ameele led the Lakers with 20 points, followed by Quincey Zimmerman who had 15. The loss placed the Lakers at 0-1 for the SUNYAC Conference; it also started a their four-game streak against SUNYAC opponents. The Lakers had a mere six points in the final quarter to really lose control of the game against the Red Dragons on Nov. 2.
The other Red Dragons of the SUNYAC, SUNY Oneonta, are coming off a 52-41 win against The College at Brockport. They were on a two-game losing streak, after losses to Hartwick University and SUNY Geneseo. Madeline Frank led the Red Dragons with an 11-point game, with Clara Culeton picking up six. SUNY Oneonta is 1-1 in the SUNYAC.
Looking at the Red Dragons
The Red Dragons are currently 5-2 on the season, with a 1-1 SUNYAC Record. Frank leads all scorers with 70 points on the season, averaging 10.0 a game. The Red Dragons will be looking to recover from the two losses, by continuing their winning ways against the Lakers.
SUNY Oneonta is off to the same exact start they were last year, 5-2, at the same point. Head coach Daphne Thompson is looking to continue her success in her 11th season as head coach of the Red Dragons.
The team only graduates one senior this year, Samantha Lisikatos, who has 62 points on the season, so far. This means a majority of a successful roster will return next season, with a potentially good group of freshmen to round out the lineup.
Lakers vs. Red Dragons History
The Lakers and Red Dragons have faced each other at least once every year since the 1976-1977 season. The Lakers would beat the Red Dragons for the first time during the 1981-1982 season, 57-50. During the 1991-1992 season, SUNY Oneonta was in the SUNYAC for the first time, and Oswego State won 70-30 during that game. The 2004-2005 season was very unique. The Lakers won the first of three matchups 93-84 in a thrilling four-overtime victory. They would also see each other for the first time in the SUNYAC Playoffs, where the Lakers won 72-53.
Overall, the Red Dragons have a 42-20 record over the Lakers, and will look to tack on just one more dominant win against Oswego State.
Recent history has not been too kind for Oswego State, however. The last time the Lakers defeated the Red Dragons was during the 2012-2013 season, 47-46. Since then, it’s been either very close, or very dominant, losses served by SUNY Oneonta. Last season, the Lakers lost 51-61 and then 58-60.
Prediction
History does not bode well for the Lakers against the SUNY Oneonta Red Dragons. The current situations do not bode well, either. The Lakers are sitting at 2-5 after blowing a decently sized lead against SUNY Cortland on Nov. 2. The Red Dragons are coming off of a win against The College at Brockport, and look to continue their winning ways.
The Red Dragons are the more skilled of the two teams, able to spread the wealth with passing and shooting, compared to the Lakers.
First-year head coach, Sean Pinkerton, will have his hands full in his second SUNYAC matchup with the Lakers. SUNY Oneonta does not have much leadership in the senior class, but that should not hurt them going into the match up.
SUNY Oneonta wins 66-44.
