The Oswego State Lakers will be playing the second to last game of their six game home stand today versus the SUNY Geneseo Knights. Today’s game against SUNY Geneseo also marks the beginning of the SUNYAC competition for the Lakers’ squad, which is looking to make an impact in the competition.

The Knights will be entering today’s game with a record of 3-1 and a two-game winning streak. Their last game was against Alfred University where they won comfortably with the final score of 89-73. Guard Terrance Nichols went off for 30 points against Alfred University and is averaging 20.3 points per game through their first four games of the season. He is SUNY Geneseo’s go-to player and it is expected for them to go to him early in the game. This should not serve much as challenge for the Lakers who are playing great defensively so far this season. SUNY Geneseo, unlike the Oswego State, does not have a balanced scoring attack, with only two players averaging double digits in scoring. Those two players being Nichols and guard Zack Panebianco, who is averaging 15 points per game.

Defensively, the Lakers will have to contain and limit the touches for Nichols and Panebianco. The Lakers’ great team defense and excellent defense of the three-point line should translate into tonight’s game, being that SUNY Geneseo has not shown any signs of being a strong three-point shooting team. The Knights are shooting 24.3 percent from the three on the season and as a team has only made a total of 24 out of 115 threes. Compared to the Lakers 45 percent three-point field goal percentage and total of 56 out of 123 three-pointers made, it is noticeable that these teams have different play styles.

Coming off of a strong showing against Nazareth College, the Lakers will carry their hot shooting from behind the arc and in the paint into today’s game. The most consistent aspect of the Lakers’ season has been their balanced scoring attack and it will not be something missing from their game today. The Lakers have shown they are a strong offensive and defensive team and with that balance they should win tonight.

Prediction

Lakers take this one to extend their winning streak to 5 with a score of 80-68.

Photo: Maria Pericozzi | The Oswegonian