Finger Lakes Tops Onondaga 112-95
CANANDAIGUA -- The Finger Lakes Men's Basketball team scored a season-high 112 points to defeat Onondaga Community College 112-95 on Wednesday. With the win, Finger Lakes improves to 16-3 on the season and 4-1 in Mid-State Athletic Conference. The Lakers also hold a 13-3 record in Region III play.
Both teams came out of the gate fast on Wednesday. A Dylan Verkey three pointer gave Finger Lakes an early 8-7 lead just two minutes into the game. Onondaga would answer right away to take the lead back. Overall in the first half, there were eight ties and nine lead changes. Any time Finger Lakes would attempt to go on a run, the Lazers would respond with quick points to tie the game back up. Onondaga used their size to their advantage. They had eight second-chance points compared to the Lakers' two. A pair of those points for the Lazers came on a tip-in off of a missed three point attempt with just under four minutes remain to give Onondaga a 45-35 lead, their largest of the half. Junior Sims answered with a three pointer and the Lakers went on a 14-4 run to tie the game at 49-49. With 34 seconds remaining, Brandon Bullock found Noah Whalen on the wing for a three pointer to make it a 17-4 run and give Finger Lakes a 52-49 lead going into halftime.
At the half, eight of the nine Lakers made it into the game recorded points. They were led by 11 points by Dylan Verkey and 10 points by Junior Sims. Verkey also had a team-high five rebounds and Brandon Bullock added four assists for the Lakers.
The second half began with the teams trading baskets. Onondaga converted a three-point play three minutes into the half to tie the game back up at 58-58. On the next possession, the Lazers took the lead following a free throw. The Lakers would rally and regain the lead as the two teams continued their hot shooting. Sims made a three to give the Lakers a six point lead, but it was answered 15 seconds later by an Onondaga three. With 10:38 remaining in the game, Onondaga hit yet another three to tie the score at 79-79. That would be the last time it was tied, however. The Lakers would go on a 10-0 run over the next minute and thirty-eight seconds, capped by a Deante Mathis three, to take an 89-79 lead. The Lazers were able to work the margin down to five, but the Lakers answered with another small run on their way to a 112-95 victory.
Torry Wright led Finger Lakes with a game-high 27 points. He also collected 11 rebounds earning his fifth double-double of the season. Dylan Verkey gave the Lakers 24 points. Junior Sims and Brandon Bullock each added 16 points. Sims made a career-high four three pointers in the game. Kievonn Banks was also in double figures for the Lakers. He finished with 10 points.
Overall, Finger Lakes shot 51.2% from the field. They turned 19 Onondaga turnovers into 33 points and outscored the Lazers 62-38 in the paint.
Finger Lakes will remain at home this Saturday as they host Tompkins Cortland CC in a Mid-State Athletic Conference matchup. Tipoff with the Panthers is set for 3pm.
