The Oswego State women’s basketball team entered SUNYAC play with a lot of promise, but a 2-16 record in conference play put the brakes on a promising season. There was a lot of positives sprinkled in the 6-18 overall season, the program took a step forward and the 2020-21 season looks to be another leap for the team.
The thing that matters the most in any team sporting event is the scoreboard, the more points at the end of the game wins. Looking over the full season in terms of scoring differential, Oswego State was minus 7.2 points per game, averaging 56.1 points per game to their opponents’ 63.3. That was better than the minus 11.3 scoring differential for the 2018-19 season. The scoreboard is closer and it is why Oswego State was able to triple its win total from the previous season.
Another positive is that Oswego State was 4-3 when forward Ramatoulaye Sy played this season, who is expected to be back next season. A full season with Sy could bring the Lakers into the pack of the SUNYAC. Sy averaged 18.1 points and 11.6 rebounds in her seven contests.
The Lakers will have to fill the void of losing one-year transfer player Sydni Eure, who came from Onondaga Community College after scoring 1,000 points in two seasons there. The senior was dominant on the glass and scoreboard just like Sy. Eure averaged 14.3 points and 10.9 rebounds.
The Lakers will look to overcome the deficit left by Eure and other departing seniors, Quincey Zimmerman, Erin Gantley, Morgan Wolanin and Tatyana Fish, by shooting a higher percentage from the 3-point line next season. The Lakers finished last in the SUNYAC for 3-point shooting percentage at a 22.7% clip.
The hustle and the effort were there for the Lakers all season, while the results were not. The team will look to improve its offense in the offseason and go into next season knowing it may have a fighting chance in the SUNYAC. It cannot be forgotten that the Lakers started 6-4 this season. A double digit wins total is in sight for the first time since 2012-13 for the Lakers if health goes their way next season.
Photo by Nicole Hube | The Oswegonian
