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SYRACUSE, NY. – November 3, 2008 – The Onondaga Community College men’s basketball team opened the 2008-09 campaign with a closely contested 73-70 home victory over Clinton Community College yesterday afternoon. The Lazers maintained a slim 33-29 halftime advantage but were unable to pull away from the visiting Cougars. With Onondaga leading 44-38 midway through the second half Clinton went on a 23-13 run, and gained a 61-57 advantage with under 6:00 remaining. The Lazers responded with an 11-0 run of their own, however, to regain the lead. Two free throws each by Brandon Haughton (Cicero-North Syracuse) and Jason Kondra (East Syracuse-Minoa) in the final 35 seconds, and a steal by Eric Ball (Syracuse Bishop Grimes) on Clinton’s final possession, allowed Onondaga to come away with the win.
Kondra led Onondaga in scoring with a career high 15 points, 9 in the second half. He was joined in double figures by freshman Brad Romancik (LaFayette), who scored 14 points including connecting on 4 shots from behind the three-point arc. Matt Potter (New Berlin Unadilla Valley) scored all 9 of his points in the second half, pulled down a team best 7 rebounds, and recorded 3 steals. Dave Foltz (Auburn) led the Lazers with 6 assists, while Kondra and Jordan Barzee (Syracuse Christian Home School) handed out 5 assists each. Onondaga was able to win despite making only 28 of 73 shots from the floor (38.4%), getting outrebounded, 49-41, and committing 24 turnovers. The Lazers made 8 of 10 free throws, while Clinton connected on 20 of 27 from the line. Onondaga relied on a strong defensive effort which forced 31 Cougar turnovers. The Lazers also held Clinton without a three-point goal while connecting on 9 themselves from behind the arc.
Onondaga returns to action on Friday evening at 6:00 pm, as they will face Mercyhurst North East Junior College, a National Junior College Athletic Association Division II school, in the opening round of the Anthony Torchia Memorial Classic at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica. Host Mohawk Valley will face Queensborough Community College in the 8:00 pm nightcap. The tournament’s championship game will be played at 2:00 pm on Saturday, following a 12:00 noon consolation tilt. The Lazers are the defending Torchia Classic champions and will be making their 8th appearance in the event.