FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Fredonia received a 24-point, 10-rebound effort from junior Ian Helps (Bronx, N.Y. / Greater New York Academy), and clutch play from Dante Williams (Buffalo, N.Y. / Hutch Tech) and Nicc Johnson (Buffalo, N.Y. / St. Mary's of Lancaster) to hang on for a 76-75 victory over SUNYAC-leading Oswego on Friday. Williams hit a short jumper with nine seconds left that proved to be the game winner, keeping the Blue Devil playoff hopes alive. He finished with 17 points, while Johnson added 15 off the bench.

Oswego's Brian Sortino finished with 34 points, including five threes for the Lakers (13-2, 17-5).

Oswego led from the get-go and held a 36-29 lead at the half. Helps had 11 points at the break, and Sortino had 17 for the Lakers.

The Blue Devils finally broke through an took their first lead at the 13:02 mark of the second half. Down 45-43, a three pointer and a fast-break layup by Johnson, followed by a three-point play by Helps gave the Devils a 51-43 lead.

Later in the half, Johnson drove strong to the hoop and converted a layup while getting fouled hard. His free throw gave the Devils their biggest lead of the game, 62-51, with 7:22 left to play.

The Lakers worked back into the game. Down nine, 70-61, they would go on a 10-0 run to take a one-point lead.

Helps broke the string, turning a loose ball into a layup as the Devils regained the lead at the 1:30 mark.

The next four possessions saw the teams exchange the lead four times, the last being Williams' game-winner.

Both teams missed late opportunities. With a chance to take the lead with 38 seconds left, Sortino missed two free throws for Oswego.  Brandon Hodge returned the favor on the next Fredonia possession, missing both of his charity attempts with 33 seconds left.

Fredonia shot 49 percent from the floor to Oswego's 45 percent. Oswego held a 34-33 edge in rebounds.

Fredonia hosts its final home game of the year tomorrow when they take on Cortland at 2 p.m.