OSWEGO, N.Y. — The Oswego State women’s basketball team started the 2021 season off strong, going 3-3 in their first six games with an average margin of victory of 33 points. However, the Lakers suffered from a four-game losing skid to end the fall semester and now sit at 3-7 heading into 2022. Although Oswego is four games under .500, they boast two blowout victories over non-SUNYAC teams in SUNY-Delhi (75-39) and Wells College (73-23).
The Lakers are currently 0-4 in SUNYAC games with losses to SUNY Cortland, Buffalo State, SUNY Brockport and Fredonia. Though they sit one game back from SUNY Plattsburgh and two games back from SUNY Geneseo in the SUNYAC standings.
The Lakers are led by senior guard Danielle Caivana who leads the team in minutes per game (33.0), points per game (15.1) and 3-pointers made (25). Freshman forward Diamond Pickett is having a great start to her collegiate career, averaging close to a double-double with 8.3 points per game and 10.1 rebounds per game. Pickett also leads the team in field goal percentage, shooting 51% from the field. Sophomore forward Caitie Lilly has been the Lakers anchor on the defensive end, racking up 14 blocks thus far in the season, including back-to-back five-block performances versus SUNY Cortland and Buffalo State.
As a team, the Lakers are giving up 60 points per game, their lowest point total allowed since 2017. However, Oswego is only averaging 62.3 points per game, with that average being inflated from their 36 and 50-point victories earlier this season. Although the Lakers are on a losing streak, they’ve been competitive in all of their games thus far, with their biggest losing deficit being just 14 points.
With Oswego sitting at 3-7 entering the new year, they’ll need to be on the winning side of their close contests to have a shot at the SUNYAC playoffs. Luckily for the Lakers, there are more 15 opportunities for them to climb back into contention, with 14 of their next 15 games being against SUNYAC rivals. Oswego’s next game comes against Alfred State College on Monday, Jan. 4. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. at the Max Ziel Gymnasium.
Photo provided by Shelby Peplowski, WTOP-10 Photography Department
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