OSWEGO, N.Y. – Senior captain Hayden Ward (Montauk, N.Y.) scored 22 points, guiding the Oswego State men's basketball team to an early lead that it maintained throughout Friday's 67-51 exhibition win over Queen's University (Canada).

Ward also led the Lakers with seven rebounds in a game in which Oswego State jumped out to an early double-digit lead and led by as many as 23. The Lakers kept the Gaels in single digits for a good portion of the first half with solid defense and quick, transition offense.

Oswego State led 41-25 at the half, having attempted 36 shots in the stanza to just 23 for Queen's. The Lakers also garnered 14 points off turnovers in the first period to give them a 16-point lead.

Oswego State went through some rough patches in the second half, as its lead dwindled to single digits. The Gaels' comeback was largely because of Greg Faulkner's 12 points and 10 rebounds. Mark Paclibar also chipped in with two critical three-pointers for the Gaels.

However, Chris GIlkes (Sr., Syracuse, N.Y.) played solid defense on Faulkner when it counted the most down the stretch, and the Gaels were not able to hit a field goal for the final 4:02. Gilkes also tallied nine points in the contest. Eleven of 14 Lakers netted points in the low-scoring affair, and a late run gave the home team a runaway win.

Oswego State kicks off its regular season on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 8 p.m. when it takes on Medgar Evers as part the Max Ziel Tournament.