OSWEGO, N.Y. - The Oswego State women's basketball team (11-13, 6-11 SUNYAC) made a bid for an upset on its home floor by staying within striking range of Buffalo State (22-2, 15-2) throughout the second half, but a late first-half surge by the Bengals were enough to earn the 71-61 victory.

The contest was tied five times in the game's first 10 minutes, the last coming at 15-15. Kayla Ryan (Sr., Schaghticoke, N.Y.) kept the Lakers in the game with 16 first-half points.

However, the Bengals' Staci McElroy took over the game late in the half. The junior reached the 1,000-career point mark with her 17 points in the first half. McElroy scored six points in a 12-2 run late in the half that helped Buffalo State carry a 37-27 lead into halftime.

The Lakers played a strong second half, though, staying in the game with back-to-back three pointers by Kassie Kleine (Jr., Cazenovia, N.Y.) and Ryan before eventually cutting the advantage to 55-49 on a free throw by Meagan Stover (Jr., Lake George, N.Y.).

Oswego State struggled to get any closer as it shot just 39 percent from the floor in the second half and sent Buffalo State to the free throw line 18 times in the stanza. The Bengals made 11 of their charity shots to make sure they remained in first place in the SUNYAC.

The Lakers were led by Ryan's 26 points and nine rebounds, while Stover finished with 13 points and three assists.

Buffalo State's McElroy finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead four double-digit scorers.

The game was part of the Play 4Kay event at Max Ziel Gymnasium in conjunction with the national initiative by the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

The Lakers wrap up the regular season when they host Fredonia at 2 p.m. Saturday.