QuickLinks
Top Searches
SYRACUSE, NY. – November 10, 2007 – The Onondaga Community College men’s basketball team swept a pair of games against Queensborough Community College and Mohawk Valley Community College over the weekend to capture the title in the 7th annual Anthony Torchia Memorial Classic, held at Mohawk Valley. The Lazers defeated Queensborough, 94-78, in the tournament opener on Friday night. Onondaga followed that effort up with an 83-68 win this afternoon over the tournament hosts. Mohawk Valley had entered the contest ranked #15 in the country in the most recent National Junior College Athletic Association poll. With the wins, Onondaga has now run its record to 3-0 on the season.
In Friday’s game, Onondaga held a slim 4-point advantage, but gradually pulled away in the second half. The Lazers placed 7 players in double figures, led by Zack Thomsen (New Berlin Unadilla Valley), who posted a career high 22 points, and handed out 7 assists. Shane Williams (Camillus West Genesee) added 12 points and a team high 9 rebounds, and Brett Liedka (Syracuse Bishop Grimes) tallied 11 points. Four Lazers, Chris Vincent (Baldwinsville C.W. Baker), Pete Byrne (Syracuse Bishop Ludden), Luke Schrader (Herkimer), and Kevin Barrett (Syracuse Bishop Ludden) all added 10 points. Ryan Chapman (Syracuse Bishop Ludden) handed out a team high 8 assists. Onondaga held a 48-41 rebounding advantage, and connected on 32 of 65 shots from the floor (49%) and 24 of 30 shots from the foul line (80%), Queensborough made 30 of 75 shots (40%), and 15 of 24 free throws (62%). The win marked the 4th straight time that Onondaga has defeated Queensborough in the Torchia Classic.
Today’s game followed a very similar script, as Onondaga trailed, 49-42, with 15:43 to go, but outscored Mohawk Valley, 41-19, over the remainder of the game. The Lazers placed 5 players in double figures, the 3rd time in 3 games that at least 5 have hit double digits. Vincent led Onondaga with 15, including 13 in the game’s last 10 minutes. Williams added 14 points, and also led the team with 14 rebounds and 8 assists. Byrne, Thomsen, and Schrader added 12, 11, and 10 points respectively. The Lazers outrebounded their 3rd consecutive opponent, this time by a 46-43 margin. Onondaga made 27 of 63 shots from the floor (42%) and 25 of 36 from the line (69%). Mohawk Valley hit on only 23 of 69 attempts from the floor (33%) and 18 of 24 from the line (75%). Following the title contest, Thomsen was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and Williams was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Onondaga returns to action on Thursday, as they host SUNY Delhi in their home opener. Tip-off is set for 8:00 pm.