BOX SCORE

Arlington, Va. (Nov. 18, 2006) – SUNY-Oswego scored 41 points in the second half to defeat Alvernia College, 73-56, in day two action at the Marymount University Women’s Basketball Tip-Off Tournament Saturday afternoon at The Verizon Sports Arena.

            Oswego placed three players in double figures led by Samantah Driscol who scored 17.  Sarah Lombard added 14 for the Lakers and Lyndsey Maruit tallied 11.  Alvernia got a game-high 18 point from senior guard Lauren Fortna (Lebanon, PA/Lebanon Catholic).

            Alvernia (0-2) opened up an early eight-point lead, 14-6 behind six points from Fortna over the first six minutes of play.  Oswego battled back to take a 20-19 lead and held a five-point lead, 29-24, with 2:38 left in the first half.  Sophomore forward Allee Barnes (Blooming Glen, PA/Pennridge) knocked down a jumper and freshman Joanna Graber (Manalapan, NJ/Notre Dame) followed with a 3 to knot the score at 29-all with 1:09 on the first half clock.

            Lombard completed a 3-point play 25 seconds later to close the first half scoring and give the Lakers a 32-29 lead at the break.  Oswego held a decisive 16-8 lead on points in the paint over the opening 20 minutes and an 8-3 edge in second chance points.

            Fortna opened the second half with a pair of free throws and nailed her final 3 of the day at the 16:55 mark to give Alvernia the lead for the final time.  Driscoll answered with a 3 to swing the lead back to the Lakers and the Crusaders went cold from the floor as Oswego rattled off 19 of the next 22 points for a 14-point lead with 9:24 to play.

            Alvernia closed the gap to eight points, 60-52 at the 5:27 mark, but Oswego quickly pushed it back to 15 and settled for the 17-point victory.

            Alvernia will face conference foe Wesley College in the 9:30 a.m. game on Sunday.

Oswego 73, Alvernia 56