Onondaga Community College defeats Jefferson CC to remain in first place Conference tie

Thomsen paces the Lazers with 22 point outburst

SYRACUSE, NY. – January 24, 2008 – The Onondaga Community College men’s basketball team bounced back from Monday’s non-conference loss at North Country Community College by posting a 77-64 Mid-State Athletic Conference victory at Jefferson Community College last night. The win keeps the Lazers tied with Finger Lakes Community College atop the conference standings, with each school owning a 4-1 conference mark. Onondaga has now raised its overall record to 14-5 on the season.

Last night, with Jefferson leading 32-31 late in the first half, Onondaga scored the final 7 points of the half to take a 38-32 lead to the locker room. The Lazers quickly extended the lead to 10 at the start of the second half, before Jefferson battled back to get as close as to within 3 points at 56-53. Onondaga answered with a 14-4 run of their own to secure the win. Zack Thomsen (New Berlin Unadilla Valley) led the Lazers with 22 points, including 5 three-point goals. Chris Vincent (Baldwinsville C.W. Baker) and Kevin Barrett (Syracuse Bishop Ludden) added 15 and 11 points respectively. Shane Williams (Camillus West Genesee) posted a double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Thomsen, Pete Byrne (Syracuse Bishop Ludden), and Jason Kondra (East Syracuse-Minoa) all handed out 4 assists. The Lazers also gave a strong defensive effort, as they limited Jefferson to 24 of 73 shooting (33%) and forced 16 turnovers in holding the Cannonneers 25 points below their conference scoring average.

Onondaga returns to action on Saturday afternoon with a Mid-State matchup at Tompkins Cortland Community College at 3:00 pm. The Lazers return home next Wednesday with an 8:00 pm tip-off against Finger Lakes.