The No.5 Onondaga women's basketball team fell to Niagara County Community College 86-65, on Wednesday. With the loss, Onondaga moves to 4 – 2 overall and 2 - 0 in Regional Play.
 
How it happened:
Niagara started the game with possession off the opening tip before Onondaga's zone defense came up with a steal. Katelyn Karleski got the Lazers going with a three on their first possession. Sydni Eure was fouled while shooting with 5:39 on the clock sending her to the foul line to shoot two shots. Knocking down both shots, the Lazers tied the game at five. Minutes later Danielle Yates hit a three for the Lazers and took an 8-5 lead. A two-point basket by the Thunderwolves cut the Lazers lead to one. On Niagara's next possession, Sleeth fouled the NCC shooter while shooting a three. The basket was good and NCCC went to the foul line to attempt a four-point play. After making the foul shot, Niagara took an 11-8 lead with 3:45 left on the clock. Holly Sleeth responded with a three to tie the game at 11. NCCC showed no hesitation shooting the ball from behind the arc against Onondagas' 2-3 zone. A three by Niagara gave them a 14-11 lead. 30 seconds later Namir Davis hit a three to even the score once again. A turnover by the Timberwolves lead to a fast break basket by Davis for the easy lay in. After an exchange of baskets, Onondaga and Niagara were tied at 18-18 to end the quarter.
 
Onondaga controlled of the ball to start the second quarter. After a two-minute scoring drought, Amber Meigs went to the foul line shooting two. Megs make one of two fouls shots cutting the Thunderwolves lead to one. On the Lazers next possession, Meigs finished around the basket to push the Onondaga ahead 21-20. Caitlyn Connolly scored the Lazers next nine points starting with a three to extend the lead to four. NCCC came back with a three of their own. NCCC called a quick timeout with 4:50 on the clock and trailing 24-23. Out of the timeout Niagara scored five straight points to take a 28-24 lead. With 3:32 on the clock, Connolly got the Lazers back in it with her second three of the quarter. Down one, Onondaga called a timeout. Out of the timeout, Niagara finished inside to stretch the lead to three. With 3:00 to go in the quarter, Connolly continued her shooting spree knocking down another three to tie the game at 30. A minute and a half later Sleeth finished on a fast break to give the Lazers a 32-30 lead. After another steal by the Lazers they looked to push the ball in transition but a loose ball resulted in a tie-up sending possession of the basketball back to the Thunderwolves with 1:07 left to play. As Onondaga's defense continued to force turnovers, Caitlyn Connolly came up with a steal and finished at the other end of the floor to give her 11 points for the quarter. The Lazers led 34-32 with 35 seconds left. Once again, the Lazers caused another turnover. With 15 seconds on the clock and time counting down, Kaleigh Wucher hit a three with no time left to take a 37-34 lead into half time.
 
A quick basket to start the second half by Sydni Eure extends Onondaga's lead to five. Niagara who made nine second half threes, five of those coming in the third quarter started to get hot. A three by NCCC cut the Lazers lead to two, 39-37. A jump ball gave possession back to Niagara. Niagara made two foul shots to tie the game at 39. Eure came back with two foul shots of her own to regain the lead. With no hesitation, NCCC fired up another three retaking the lead 42-41. A quick two by the Thunderwolves made it 44-41 NCCC. Eure finished on a layup making it 44-43. The Lazers continue to run stride for stride with NCCC for most of the third quarter. Niagara hit another three at 6:35 mark. The Lazers answer right back with a three to cut the lead to 47-46. After a 7-0 run by Niagara the Lazers found themselves down 54-46 with a little over four minutes on the clock. A three-point play by Eure cut the lead to five. The Lazers and Thunderwolves alternated baskets for the rest of the quarter. Caitlyn Connolly scored the Lazers final basket, hitting a three with 10 second left to make the score 61-55 Niagara.   
 
As tough as the Lazes played in the first three quarters the Thunderwolves three point shooting became too much. After interchanging baskets on the first three possessions Onondaga trailed 65-57. Niagara scored on back-to-back possessions to extending their lead 69-57. After a Davis layup, Onondaga called a timeout trailing 69-59. Niagara once again scored on back-to-back baskets, this time with consecutive three pointers to push their lead to 75-59. After Eure made one of two from the foul line, Onondaga called a timeout with 4:45 left in the game. With the Thunderwolves up 77- 60 their ability to shoot the ball from behind the arch continued. Niagara hit back-to-back threes to take an 83-60 lead. A 12-0 run by NCCC ended with 2:00 left in the game when Sydni Eure scored on a layup to make the score 86-62 in Niagara's favor. A late three by Jayda Humphrey brought the final score to 86-65 Niagara.
 
The Lazers return to action on Tuesday, November 20 when they travel Buffalo to play Erie Community College at 5:30 p.m.
 
For the latest news on the Onondaga women's basketball program, follow / @OnondagaWBB on Twitter and Instagram and all things Onondaga Athletics at @OnondagaLazers (twitter and Instagram)