The Onondaga Community College men's basketball team erased a 14-point deficit late in the second half, but was unable to lockdown the win as the visiting North Country Community College Saints escaped with a 79-67 win in Onondaga's Allyn Hall.  With the loss, Onondaga slides to 5-6 while the Saints move to 5-4 overall.

Onondaga came out aggressive as Kyle Kline sake seven of the Lazers' first 11 points to stake Onondaga to an 11-4 lead forcing the Saints to call a timeout to slow the home team's momentum.

North Country came out of the huddle a different team and quickly climbed back into the game, using a 12-2 run to claim its first lead of the game, 16-14, capped by a layup on the fast break.

As the opening frame wore on, the Saints would hold their largest lead of the half courtesy of an 11-2 run to make it 38-21.  The Lazers would close the gap after a 15-2 run of their own including eight unanswered points capped by a 3-pointer from Kameron DiSanto as time expired to send both teams into the locker rooms with North Country holding a slim lead, 42-36.

Onondaga wasted little time asserting itself on the offensive end to start the second half after a modest 7-2 run brought the Lazers to within one point, 44-43.
Both teams would exchange baskets over the next several minutes until a Lloyd Parkmond layup ignited a Lazers' comeback.  Onondaga would catch fire from the floor, scoring 14 of the contest's next 18 points to take its first lead since the 12:09 mark of the first half.

The lead would be short-lived, however, as the Saints reeled off nine consecutive points to retake control of the game with time winding down.

The Lazers would try once again to spark a late-game rally when Colyn Hanley thrilled the crowd by slamming home the put back, but another quick scoring outburst by North Country would end any chances of a comeback as the visiting Saints escaped with a 79-67 win.

DiSanto posted a team-high 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting while Hanley contributed 13 rebounds.  Trevor Smith returned to the lineup for Onondaga and chipped in with six pints and two assists.  Michael Scott notched eight points and nine boards in the loss while Joseph Piazza and Kline each added seven points. 

The Lazers will ready for their next bout at 2 p.m. on Sunday when Clinton Community College comes to Allyn Hall.  As a reminder, the Athletics Department will be holding its Holiday Food Drive during the game and anyone donating a non-perishable item or canned good will receive free admission to the game.