PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Oswego State men's basketball team stunned the nationally-ranked Plattsburgh Cardinals 90-74 on Saturday afternoon in Memorial Hall. With the victory, Oswego hands the Cardinals just their second conference loss of the year and clinches a spot in the SUNYAC Championship. Seeding is yet to be determined as there are still regular-season conference games on the schedule.
 
It is the Lakers' fifth-straight victory and eighth out of its last nine contests. That stretch is the most since a seven-game version in early portions of the 2013-14 season. All of the triumphs also have come in conference, Oswego's longest such span since the 2011-12 squad went unbeaten in the SUNYAC. The win also prevented a seven-game undefeated streak for No. 22 Plattsburgh.
 
As a team, the Lakers were unconscious from the floor, shooting above 50.0% from both the field and 3-point range. Oswego made 33 of its 65 attempts from the floor (50.8%), including 18-for32 from deep (56.3%).
 
Those numbers were a direct reflection of Oswego's leader in the North Country, Brian Sortino. The junior recorded a career-high 38 points with a lights-out shooting performance. Sortino punished the twine to the tune of a 52.0% (13-for-25) showing. Most of his damage came from beyond the arc, registering a career-high eight bombs on just 12 attempts (66.7%).
 
Aiding in the effort were three other Lakers in double-figures. Senior Alex Rawa tallied 17 points while classmate Mark Candelario notched 10. Keith Tyson matched Candelario's output to round out the group.
 
Every Laker that saw floor time in the tilt grabbed a rebound, paced by Candelario and Krecko each collecting seven.
 
Oswego controlled the game from the onset, holding double-digit advantages in both halves. The Lakers were on top of the Cardinals by as many as 12 in the first half, carrying a 38-31 edge into the locker room at halftime. Plattsburgh was able to tie the game twice in the early moments of the second stanza, but Oswego never trailed, growing its margin to as many as 17 over the 20-minute period.
 
The Lakers will put its win streak on the line at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday when it hosts Geneseo for Senior Night. Prior to the game, men's basketball will honor its four seniors for their contributions to the program.