The Oswego State Lakers advanced to the Sweet 16 of the Div. III NCAA Tournament after defeating Baldwin Wallace University 75-71 in overtime on March 2.
The Lakers continued their impressive season with the win against the Yellow Jackets, being led in scoring by Liam Sanborn and Brandan Gartland, who each scored 20 points. Tyler Pierre, who has been having an excellent season, contributed 14 points and 16 rebounds to the cause.
The Lakers got through the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament proving that they have been able to step up to all of the challenges and competitors the season has brought them. In the Sweet 16, the Lakers will play the 22-6 Marietta College Pioneers. This round sees the Lakers playing on the road, visiting Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. Going on the road is often tough for teams, but throughout the season, the Lakers have proved they are able to handle adversity and unfamiliar territory. With an 8-2 record on the road, the stats show the Lakers are not fazed by playing on the road at all.
Gartland said he likes going to a new gym for the experience and opportunity
“Personally I like playing on the road better,” Pierre said. “It’s a different experience and a different atmosphere.”
With this being the Lakers’ second Sweet 16 appearance in four years, they will try to get past this point and extend their season beyond March 8. An integral part of the Lakers moving on to the Elite Eight is what gave them so much success throughout the season: depth. The Lakers team has so much depth that, in any given game, any one of their starting five can go off for a big game. With players like Pierre, Quinn Carey, Gartland, Sanborn and Joe Sullivan, no single player carries all the scoring responsibilities. Beyond just putting the ball in the basket, the players have also learned to impact the game on other sides of the ball.
“Coach has been big this year in taking me out the mindset of letting my offense affect my game,” Carey said. “There are other ways I can impact the game on the defensive end, rebounding and making the extra pass.”
In the beginning of the season, the youth and the number of new faces on the team was a concern for the Lakers. From the beginning of the season until now, growth has been a crucial part of the team’s success, whether it be the growth of chemistry and unity among the players or the growth in players’ IQ and approach to the game. The most notable example of this has been Sanborn.
“[Sanborn] has really grown into a great facilitator and has been better with reading defenses while still keeping his scoring mentality,” head coach Jason Leone said.
As the stakes have gotten higher, the Lakers have been able to rise to the occasion. Winning games in all types of ways, whether it being blowout wins, tough low-scoring games or even overtime wins, the Lakers have found a way to pull out a win. Pierre showed confidence in himself and his team, saying that he was sure they were going to pull out the win to get to the Elite Eight.
“I feel like a team is supposed to be able to win those low scoring, defensive games,” Leone said.
The Lakers have been able to have an outstanding season with a record of 24-5, doing all of the little things needed. In a game of this magnitude, they will have to put all of those factors together to pull out a win and keep their season going. Leone has preached to his players about not getting intimidated by the big stage that they now find themselves in.
Carey spoke about focusing on the task at hand and not getting phased by the attention and pressure.
“It’s great to see everyone interested in us, but we know that’s not what we are doing this for,” Carey said. “We know our goal is to continue to win each game and that’s where our focus is.”
The Lakers will be looking to come away with a win against Marietta College and keep their great season going. With the intangibles the team has showcased throughout the season, they are primed to win this game and advance to the Elite Eight.
“It’s all a product of what your habits are,” Leone said. “The players are on the right track, and the result of the game will be dictated by what their approach is here in practice.”
Photo by: Nicole Hube | The Oswegonian
