The Oswego State men's basketball team dealt Buffalo State its first loss of the season as the Lakers defeated the Bengals 80-73 on Saturday in Buffalo. Chris Gilkes paced the Lakers with 23 points and nine rebounds in the victory. Oswego State moved to 4-1 on the season and 2-0 in SUNYAC play. Buffalo State dropped to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the conference.

Both teams kept the score close, as the lead was never bigger than four at any point during regulation with the lead changing 27 times and being tied on 13 occasions. Buffalo State's Jake Simmons made a lay-up with two seconds remaining in the first half to give the Bengals a slim 36-35 lead going into halftime.

The game was knotted up at 67 with 1:57 left in regulation. The teams traded lay-ups before Oswego State called a timeout with 38 seconds remaining. The Lakers missed a lay-up and after Norman Simmons grabbed a rebound for the Bengals, who called a timeout of their own. The Bengals were unable to convert and Ryan Sheridan grabbed a crucial defensive rebound to send the game to overtime. Sheridan finished the game with 18 points.

Oswego State held a 76-73 lead in the extra period and was able to finish off the Bengals with four clutch free throws, two each by Sean Michele and Sheridan.  Michele turned in a well-rounded performance with nine points, eights assists and five rebounds. Chad Burridge scored 20 points and grabbed eight boards. The Bengals were led by T.O. Jackson, who had 19 points and nine rebounds, in 27 minutes of action.

The Lakers are back on the road on Tuesday as they take on Rochester Institute of Technology at 7 p.m.