ONONDAGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DEFEATS MID-STATE RIVAL CAYUGA CC

Lazers’ coaching staff part of NABC Coaches vs. Cancer Weekend.

SYRACUSE, NY. -- February 11, 2006 -- The Onondaga Community College men’s basketball team defeated Mid-State Athletic conference rival Cayuga Community College, 83-72, at home this afternoon. With the win the Lazers avenged a 97-81 loss to the Spartans on January 21. It also marked the fourth straight year that the two neighboring schools have split their two conference contests. The win was also Onondaga’s fourth straight, and ran their record to 14-10.

Kenny Gethers (Syracuse Bishop Grimes) led the Lazers with 25 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocked shots. Gethers made 11 of his12 field goal attempts. Jeff Riker (Dryden) added 14 points, and Steve Siechen (East Syracuse-Minoa) also reached double figures with 10. Tyler Kurzinski (Central Square P.V. Moore) handed out 9 assists, while Pat Mannion (Marcellus) led the Lazers with 4 steals. Onondaga shot 47.1% (32 of 68) from the floor, while Cayuga connected on 40.5% (30 of 74) of its shots. The Lazers owned a 43-40 rebounding advantage.

During the game, Onondaga head coach Dave Pasiak (Waterville), along with assistants Johnny Davis (Syracuse) and John Burns (Oswego) joined with basketball coaches around the country by wearing white sneakers as a part of Coaches vs. Cancer Awareness Weekend. Coaches vs. Cancer is a partnership between the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society which has raised over $25 million nationally since its inception in 1993.

Onondaga returns to action at home this Wednesday, February 15, at 8:00 pm, with a Mid-State Conference contest against SUNY Canton.