Oswego State bounced back from its first round loss to D’Youville College in the consolation game of the Max Ziel Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday, knocking off the Bay Path Wildcats, 88-51.
The Wildcats jumped out to an early 9-5 lead, led by Dallas Jackson who contributed six early points. The early lead was the only advantage on the scoreboard Bay Path had throughout the game.
The Lakers used their height early in the first half, as they drew 15 first half fouls, including three early ones on Jackson, who led the Wildcats with 13 points in just 16 minutes of play.
Freshman Rachael Windhausen had 10 first half points for Oswego State, shooting six for nine from the free throw line.
The home side entered halftime leading by 20 points, 46-26. Sophomore Allison Nunziato led Laker scorers in the opening 20 minutes with 11 points, while Kaylee Herring led Bay Path eight.
Oswego State shot very well in every respect during the first half. It shot 46 percent from the field, including 40 percent from three-point range, as well as 55 percent from the free throw line where it took 29 shots in the half.
On the other side, the Wildcats struggled shooting from the floor early on, finishing the half 14 percent from the outside, just making one of seven attempts, and only 23 percent shooting overall.
Bay Path again jumped out on an early run to begin the second half, but it was quickly stopped by the tough Oswego State defense as it went on its own 11-0 run.
The Lakers continued to shoot well in the second half, finishing 47 percent from the field. Their defense also contributed in large part to the victory as it forced 20 Wildcat turnovers throughout the game.
All 12 Lakers saw the floor during the afternoon’s contest, and 10 of them contributed to the team’s 88 points. Nunziato led Oswego State in scoring with 19 points and added six rebounds, as well. Windhausen fell just short of her first career double-double finishing with 16 points and seven rebounds.
The Lakers (1-1) return to the court on Tuesday night when they hit the road to take on Clarkson University. Tip off is scheduled for 6 p.m.
