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SYRACUSE, NY. – November 12, 2006 – The Onondaga Community College men’s basketball team defeated Queensborough Community College, 98-86, in the consolation game of the Anthony Torchia Memorial Classic yesterday at Mohawk Valley Community College. The Lazers were coming off of a 77-65 loss to Herkimer County Community College, the #3 ranked team in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III national poll, in the tournament’s opening round on Friday evening.
Against Queensborough, Onondaga jumped out to an early advantage, opening up an 18 point lead late in the first half and heading into the half up 14. Queensborough was able to cut the margin to 7 midway through the second half, but another Onondaga run extended the lead to as much as 21 points with under 3:00 left. Rich Buckmon (Syracuse Henninger) led the Lazers with 25 points on 10 of 12 shooting, and also pulled down a team best 10 rebounds. Buckmon was named to the All-Tournament team for his efforts. Chris Vincent (Baldwinsville C.W. Baker) added 15 points in his first collegiate start, and Zack Thomsen (Unadilla Valley) and Steve Siechen (East Syracuse-Minoa) chipped in 11 points apiece. Brett Liedka (Syracuse Bishop Grimes) pulled down 9 rebounds, and Thomsen handed out a team high 6 assists. The Lazers made 35 of 70 shots (50%) from the floor, while holding Queensborough to 33 of 89 shooting (37%) Onondaga owned a 59-44 rebound advantage.
The previous night, the Lazers fell behind early against the Generals and were never able to get closer than 8 points in the second half. Buckmon again led the way with 14 points and 8 rebounds, and Shane Williams (Camillus West Genesee) added 12 points. Tyler Kurzinski (Central Square P.V. Moore) handed out 5 assists. The difference in the game was on the glass, as Herkimer held a commanding 58-31 rebound advantage.
The split at Mohawk Valley was the second consecutive weekend that Onondaga came away with one win in two games. Last Saturday, November 4, the Lazers opened the 2006-07 season with a 103-93 win over Jamestown-Cattaraugus Community College in the opening round of the Columbia-Greene Community College Twins Classic. In that game, Siechen led the way with a career best 30 points and 14 rebounds. Danny Smith (Canastota) added 21 points, while Buckmon chipped in 17, Justin Stern (Jamesville-DeWitt) added 10, and Thomsen handed out 8 assists. The following day the Lazers lost a 76-75 heartbreaker to Tompkins-Cortland Community College in the tournament final. With the Lazers up 2, Tompkins-Cortland converted a basket and foul with 3 seconds remaining to capture the tournament title. Smith led Onondaga with 16 points and was named to the All-Tournament Team. Kurzinski added 13 and Williams tallied 10.
Onondaga returns to action on Thursday evening with a 7:00 pm tip-off at SUNY Delhi, who is currently ranked #12 in the nation. The home opener will be on Sunday, November 19, at 3:00 pm, when the Lazers host Jamestown-Cattaraugus.