The Onondaga men's basketball team defeats Fulton Montgomery in triple overtime 101-98, on Saturday. With the win, Onondaga moves to 3 – 0 overall and 2 - 0 in Regional Play.
The Lazers got off to a slow start on Saturday as they found themselves trailing for most of the first 10 minutes. As the Lazers started pick up the pace so did their offense. Isaiah Brinkley sparked the Lazers by scoring 21 first half points and playing with energy all over the court. TJ Behlin came off the bench and contributed 8 first half points. Chris Allen added 8 points of his own until he was sent to the bench after recording his second foul of the half. The Lazers turned up the pressure as the half came near.
Qeyion Williams, scored three of his seven first half points when he hit a 3 pointer with 1:02 left in the half. Brinkley followed up with a three of his own with 40 seconds on the clock to put Onondaga ahead 33-29. 20 seconds later,
Brinkley picks off an errant Fulton Montgomery inbound pass that led to an easy lay in. The layup put the Lazers ahead 35-29. FMCC scored a late two-point basket to end the first half. Onondaga led 35-32 at the half.
The second half started with FMCC sitting back in their zone defense. Much like the first half, the second showed more of the same. Both teams continued to exchange baskets and alternate runs.
Qeyion Williams starting the Lazers second half scoring by knocking down a three. After a short run by Fulton Montgomery and leading 45-44 with 11:45 left in the half, Onondaga called a timeout. The Raiders continued to put the pressure on the Lazers, eventually taking the lead 64-61 with 4:25 left in regulation. Trailing 69-61, Williams cut the lead to six by knocked down two foul shots. As he did all game, Brinkley hits a big three to narrow FMCC lead to 66-69 with 2:24 on the clock. FMCC respond second later to take a 71-66 lead. After a missed shot by the Lazers, Fulton Montgomery regains possession and calls a time out. Out of the timeout, the Raiders were called for traveling, giving possession back to Onondaga. With 58 second left on the clock and down by five. Brinkley showed great poise by hitting a three with 37 seconds left. With FMCC leading 71-69 and possession of the basketball the Lazers needed to make a play defensively, and they did. With 18.8 second on the clock, the Lazers were able to scrap for a loose ball leading to a jump ball resulting in possession.
Brinkley then drove to the basket drawing a foul. With 6.3 second on the clock,
Brinkley is at the foul line shooting two. As expected, he knocked down both shots to tie the game 71-71 to take the Lazers to overtime.
To start the first overtime sophomore
Antonio Scrimale hits a three to put the Lazers ahead 74-71. After a bit of slow play and the teams exchanging fouls,
Chris Allen hits two foul shouts to push the lead to 79-76. FMCC follows up with two foul shots to make it 79-78. The Raiders are once again at the foul line. Making one of two, FMCC ties the game at 79. After the two teams alternated baskets, the game was tied 81-81 heading into the second overtime.
As fatigue started to set in, baskets became hard to come by. With FMCC taking, the lead 88-85 with 2:00 left, the Lazers were in need of a big basket. After great defensives effort by Onondaga the Lazers regained possession with just over 40 seconds left to play.
TJ Behlin who came off the bench benching giving the Lazers great energy on the defensive end of the court showed off his offensive capabilities by knocking down the game time three with 39.6 second left. With the game tied at 88 the Lazers and Raiders headed in to the third overtime.
After a slow start in the second overtime both teams came out with energy. The Lazers once again started overtime by hitting a three off the hand of
Qeyion Williams. FMCC followed up with two consecutive baskets to take the lead 94-91 with 2:55 to go. With 2:28 on the clock, Michael Bednarczky is at the foul line. Bednarczky makes one of two foul shots. With FMCC holding onto a two-point lead, 94-92 Brinkley drove baseline to hit a pull-up jump shot and tie the game at 94. The next possession, FMCC goes to the foul line, making one of two to take a 95-94 lead. With a 1:00 on the clock
Syquan Ralands come up with a steal leading to a fast break layup that put the Lazers up 96-95. After an errant pass by the Raiders, the ball ended up in the hands of Bednarczky. Bednarczky looking to get the ball out quick throws the ball back to the Fulton Montgomery who makes the Lazers pay by hitting a three to take the lead 98-96 with 34.3 seconds left. Fulton Montgomery calls a timeout. Out of the timeout, the Lazers stick to running their offensive set. As the ball swung from Brinkley to Williams, Williams' attacked, off the pass and was able to get into the lane, as the defense collapsed, William's finds Bednarczky open in the corner for three. Michael Bednarczky's three with 6 seconds left puts the Lazers up 99-98. The Raiders got the ball in quick and looked to go on the attack. As the Raiders looked to swing the ball to the wing,
Qeyion Williams jumped the pass for the steal. As he tip toed the sideline Williams begins to fall out of bounds but not before
Antonio Scrimale called a game saving timeout with 4.5 seconds on the clock. After great coverage by FMCC on the inbounds play, the Lazers call another time out. Out of the timeout, Onondaga got the ball into Brinkley's hands and drew the foul with 2.2 seconds. At the line, shooting two, Brinkley hit both foul shots to extend the lead 101-98 and seal the victory. Michael Bednarczky's 3 goes down as the game winning field goal.
Isaiah Brinkley led the way for the Lazers, scoring a team-high 52 points against the Raiders, the most of his career and a school record. The sophomore showed fearless effort the entire game recording 21 points in the first half and 18 in the second to give him 39 points at the end of regulation.
The Lazers remain at home, as they host Niagara at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 14 for more Regional action.
