Onondaga Community College rallies to defeat Broome CC

Lazers play host to Jefferson CC on Saturday

SYRACUSE, NY. – February 9, 2012 – The Onondaga Community College men’s basketball team traveled to Broome Community College on Wednesday evening and battled back from a 13-point second half deficit to defeat the Hornets, 91-86, in a Mid-State Athletic Conference contest. The victory gave the Lazers a season sweep over the defending Mid-State Athletic Conference champions, and raised Onondaga’s overall record to 14-11. The Lazers also moved to 5-4 in MSAC play, climbing into a 3rd place tie with Jefferson Community College. With the loss, Broome fell to 8-14 on the season and 2-8 in MSAC play.

Onondaga grabbed an early lead in the game, moving out to a 23-10 advantage just over 6 minutes into the game. Jesse Gates (Liverpool) hit a pair of three-point goals to key the opening spurt, and Ian Hamm (Liverpool) also recorded three early field goals. The Lazers still held a 30-21 advantage with 8 minutes to go in the opening half when the Lazers hit a four-minute dry spell which saw Broome go on a 14-0 run, fueled by 8 points from forward Tony Wilson. The Hornets were able to maintain the lead, and took a 48-42 advantage into halftime.

Broome started the second half strong, and after Wilson scored with 16:55 remaining the Hornets had their biggest lead at 60-47. At that point the Lazers turned the tide, however, and after Tom Graf (Jordan-Elbridge) scored 7 straight points, the Lazers had come all the way back to tie the game at 69 with 9:39 remaining. After the two teams traded scores, Broome’s Davon Moore hit back to back three-pointers to put the Hornets back up by 6, 77-71, with 7:30 to go. After a drive by Kevin Corbin (Cicero-North Syracuse) and a pair of free throws by Hamm, sandwiched around a free throw by Moore, the Hornets held a 78-75 lead with under 5 minutes to go. At that point, Jordan Prior (Cortland) hit a three to pull the Lazers even, and after a defensive stop another Prior three gave Onondaga its first lead of the first half at 81-78 with 4 minutes to go. A Corbin steal and layup extended the lead to 5, and after Broome’s Jeremic Bennett scored on a drive, another Graf three-pointer gave Onondaga an 86-80 advantage with 2:58 to go. The Lazers were then able to get enough defensive stops and convert enough free throws to hold off the Hornets the rest of the way.

Prior led Onondaga with 22 points and also handed out a team best 6 assists. Graf added 19, with 17 coming in the second half, including connecting on 5 of 7 attempts from beyond the three-point line. Hamm chipped in 15 points and 7 rebounds, while Gates and Corbin tallied 12 points each. Jason Givens had a game high 24 points to lead Broome, while Moore and Wilson added 17 points each.

The Lazers return to action on Saturday afternoon when they host Jefferson Community College. Tip-off is set for 3:00 pm in Allyn Hall.