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SYRACUSE, NY. - December 14, 2006 - The Onondaga Community College men's basketball team defeated Columbia Greene Community College, 71-36, at home on Tuesday evening. In the process, Onondaga established a new school record for fewest points allowed in a game, breaking the record of 41 allowed to Jefferson Community College on February 17, 2004. The game also marked the lowest combined score of a game in Onondaga history, falling 5 points shy of the previous low, a 68-44 Onondaga win over Jefferson on January 27, 2004. The Lazers, winners of 5 of their last 6 games, head into final exams and the Christmas holiday with an overall record of 7-4.
The Lazers set the defensive tone right from the onset, as they ran out to a 23-0 lead before Columbia Greene converted 2 free throws 11:40 into the game. The Lazers held the Twins without a field goal for the first 17:14 of the game on the way to opening up a 36-8 halftime lead. For the game, Onondaga forced 28 Columbia Greene turnovers and limited the Twins to 11 of 48 (22.9%) shooting. Onondaga connected on 26 of 57 shots (45.6%) and held a 43-32 rebounding advantage. Danny Smith (Canastota) and Shane Williams (Camillus West Genesee) led a balanced Onondaga attack with 12 and 11 points respectively, as all 17 Lazers who dressed for the game played at least 5 minutes, with 13 scoring. Williams was the top rebounder with 5, and Zack Thomsen (New Berlin Unadilla Valley) handed out 4 assists and recorded 5 steals.
The Lazers' effort against Columbia Greene was a strong bounce back from a heartbreaking 76-75 loss which they had suffered in their previous game last Sunday against North Country Community College. In that game Onondaga held a 62-42 lead with 13:40 remaining before the Saints, ranked #5 in the NJCAA Division III national poll staged a furious comeback. With Onondaga leading 75-73, North Country's Al Miller connected on a long three pointer as time expired to complete the comeback. Steve Siechen (East Syracuse-Minoa) led Onondaga with 21 points, including 19 in the first half as the Lazers jumped out to a 46-30 advantage. Williams added 13 points, and tied the Onondaga school record with 20 rebounds. Smith tallied 12 points and Chris Vincent (Baldwinsville C.W. Baker) added 10. Thomsen handed out a team best 11 assists and Rich Buckmon (Syracuse Henninger) pulled down 10 rebounds.
Onondaga is now off until Saturday, January 6, when they open Mid-State Athletic Conference play with a 3:00 pm home contest against Jefferson Community College.