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SYRACUSE, NY. – January 10, 2011 – The Onondaga Community College men’s basketball team evened its Mid-State Athletic Conference record at 1-1 on Saturday afternoon, as they defeated Cayuga Community College, 88-78, in Auburn. The Lazers had dropped their MSAC opener to Finger Lakes Community College, 84-72, last Thursday night. Onondaga’s overall record now stands at 10-5, equaling the Lazers’ victory total for all of 2009-2010.
Onondaga jumped out to a 10-0 lead against Cayuga and never trailed in the contest. The Lazer lead remained at 10, 42-32, at halftime, and grew to as much as 14 early in the second half before Cayuga rallied. The Spartans were able to chip away and closed to within 2 at 80-78 with 2:39 to go. The Lazers then finished the game on an 8-0 run, including going 6 for 6 from the foul line, to close out the win. Jesse Gates (Liverpool) led a balanced Onondaga attack with 16 points and also handed out 4 assists. Tom Graf (Jordan-Elbridge) and Andrew Lucio (Solvay) added 14 points each, while Heath Stone (Chittenango) chipped in 12 points, handed out 4 assists, and blocked 2 shots. Brandon Seibt (Central Square P.V. Moore) added 11 points while Drew Nixon (Baldwinsville C.W. Baker) pulled down a team high 8 rebounds and blocked 2 shots. Onondaga shot 46.2% from the floor, including 14 of 27 (51.9%) from behind the three-point line. Cayuga shot 41.9% for the game. Both teams pulled down 43 rebounds, while Cayuga committed 16 turnovers, 3 fewer than Onondaga.
Last Thursday against Finger Lakes, the #5 team in the nation, it was the Lazers who dug the big early hole, falling behind 15-2 at the start and trailing by as much as 21 late in the first half. Onondaga was able to rally, closing to within 73-68 with 2:25 to go, but that was as close as the Lazers could get. Gates and Stone both recorded double doubles for the Lazers, with Gates scoring 15 points and pulling down 10 rebounds and Stone adding 11 points and 10 rebounds. Graf also reached double figures with 14 points while Jordan Prior (Cortland) handed out a team best 7 assists. The Lazers made 29 of 72 shots (40.3%) while the Lakers connected on 29 of 71 (40.8%). Onondaga outrebounded Finger Lakes, 53-38, but Finger Lakes enjoyed a big edge from the foul line, making 22 of 39 attempts compared to only 8 of 13 for the Lazers. The other big difference in the game was in the turnover column, as Onondaga turned the ball over 30 times compared to only 12 for Finger Lakes.
Onondaga returns to action tonight (Monday) at 8:00 pm, as they host Fulton-Montgomery Community College in a non-conference matchup. The Lazers return to Mid-State Athletic Conference play on Thursday evening at 7:00 pm, when they will host Corning Community College.