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SYRACUSE, NY. – February 13, 2011 – The Onondaga Community College men’s basketball team came from behind on Saturday afternoon to defeat Jefferson Community College, 88-85, in the final regular season home game of the 2010-2011 season. The win completed a season sweep over the Cannoneers, and raised Onondaga’s record to 19-8 on the season and 8-3 in the Mid-State Athletic Conference. The Lazers are currently alone in second place in the MSAC, one game behind Finger Lakes Community College. Onondaga can claim a share of the regular season conference title with a win at Tompkins Cortland Community College on Tuesday and a Finger Lakes loss to Cayuga Community College in their conference finale, also on Tuesday. Regardless of Tuesday’s results, Onondaga will play Broome Community College in the first semi-final of the MSAC Championship Tournament, next Saturday afternoon at Finger Lakes. Finger Lakes and Jefferson will meet in the second semi-final. Game times haven’t been announced yet.
Yesterday, visiting Jefferson jumped out to a 16-6 lead less than 8 minutes into the contest. The Cannoneers led, 37-30, at half, and extended their advantage to 14, 68-54, with 9:51 to go. At that point Onondaga went on a 21-7 run over the next 4 minutes to pull even at 75. After Jefferson recaptured the lead, Heath Stone (Chittenango) converted a free throw to tie things at 80 with 2:44 to go. Two more Stone free throws gave the Lazers their first lead of the game, 82-80, with 2:19 left. With the Lazers holding an 86-85 lead, Onondaga’s Jesse Gates (Liverpool) blocked a potential game winning shot by Jefferson’s Jabriel Blue with 6 seconds to go. Andrew Lucio (Solvay) then converted two free throws to put the Lazers up 3, and Jefferson’s last gasp three-pointer at the buzzer bounced out to give Onondaga the win.
Jordan Prior (Cortland) and Brandon Seibt (Central Square P.V. Moore) both came off the bench to score 17 points each in leading Onondaga. Prior scored all 17 of his points in the final 15 minutes of the game, while Seibt scored 12 of his 17 in the second half. Stone added 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, Drew Nixon (Baldwinsville C.W. Baker) scored 10 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, and Lucio handed out 5 assists. The Lazers shot 44.3% from the floor for the game, while Jefferson shot 54.8%. The Cannoneers owned a 41-35 rebounding advantage, but Onondaga forced 24 Jefferson turnovers while committing only 15 themselves. The Lazers’ depth also proved pivotal, as Onondaga held a 61-17 advantage in bench scoring.
Saturday’s game also marked the final home appearance for second year Lazers Lucio, Stone, Jake Johnson (Tully) and Zach Ryan (Liverpool). All four are expected to complete their programs at Onondaga this year and are being recruited by multiple four-year colleges to continue their education and playing careers.
The Lazers will close out the regular season at Tompkins Cortland Community College at 7:00 pm on Tuesday evening.