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SYRACUSE, NY. – January 8, 2012 – The Onondaga Community College men’s basketball team returned to New York State and returned to the winner’s circle on Saturday afternoon, picking up a 79-73 road win at Columbia-Greene Community College in Hudson. The game was Onondaga’s first after returning from competing at the Pasco-Hernando New Year’s Shootout in New Port Richey, FL, earlier in the week. Saturday’s win raised the Lazers’ overall record to 9-6, while Columbia-Greene fell to 6-7.
Saturday’s game was one of significant runs by both teams. After the host Twins scored the game’s first five points, the teams settled in on even terms, with Columbia-Greene taking a 15-12 lead 7 minutes into the game. At that point, Onondaga appeared to gain control of the contest, outscoring the Twins, 25-7, over the next 8 minutes to take a 37-22 lead with 4:33 to go in the opening half. Columbia-Greene responded, however, and when Jeff Crank connected on a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer, the Twins had narrowed the deficit to 39-33.
Columbia-Greene maintained their momentum at the start of the second half, quickly pulling even and eventually moving out to a 49-46 lead with 14:46 to go in the game. It was then Onondaga’s time to make a run, as the Lazers proceeded to outscore the Twins, 20-3, over the next 5 minutes, sparked by play off the bench from Kevin Corbin (Cicero-North Syracuse) and Mike Scott (Chittenango), who had 7 and 6 points during the sequence. The Twins again responded, going on a 13-0 run to close to 66-65 with 5:30 to go. Jesse Gates (Liverpool) connected on a three-pointer to move the Lazers back to a 4-point lead, but Columbia-Greene stayed close, and after Desmian Greer hit 4 straight free throws the Twins were again within 1 at 74-73 with 1:09 to go. The Lazers were able to close things out however, as Gates scored the final 6 Onondaga points and the Lazers got three straight defensive stops to end the game.
Gates led Onondaga with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Ian Hamm (Liverpool) chipped in 13 points and 5 rebounds and Corbin added 12 points and 5 assists. Freshman guard Tyler Wood (Broadalbin-Perth) came off the bench to score 8 points and he also handed out 8 assists without committing a turnover. Greer led Columbia-Greene with 24 points and Dienet Saint Jean added 18. Onondaga connected on 33 of 57 shots from the floor (57.9%) while limiting the Twins to 24 of 55 (43.6%). That margin allowed the Lazers to overcome 24 turnovers and a huge deficit at the foul line. Onondaga made only 5 of 12 free throws, while Columbia-Greene connected on 22 of 32.
Earlier in the week, the Lazers competed in the Pasco-Hernando New Year’s Shootout, hosted by Division II Pasco-Hernando Community College in New Port Richey, FL. Last Monday, the Lazers opened play against the hosts. Onondaga held a 24-22 lead midway through the first half, but Pasco responded by closing the half on a 23-8 run, and the Lazers never threatened in the second half. Corbin and Scott led the Lazers with 14 and 12 respectively.
Last Tuesday, the Lazers faced Division II Guilford Technical Community College from Jamestown, NC. The Lazers built a 9-point lead early in the second half, but a nearly 6-minute dry spell proved to be their undoing, as Guilford came away with an 81-68 win. Gates was Onondaga’s only double figure scorer with 19.
On Wednesday, the Lazers completed their play in the Shootout by taking on Wytheville Community College of Wytheville, VA. A second half dry spell again proved to be the Lazers’ undoing, as Wytheville pulled away late for a 92-77 victory. Corbin paced Onondaga with 16 points, while Gates and Brandon Seibt (Central Square P.V. Moore) added 11 each.
Onondaga will play their first home game in nearly a month on Tuesday, as they host Cayuga Community College at 8:00 pm. That game will be the Mid-State Athletic Conference opener for both teams.