JOHNSTOWN – The FM Raiders rebounded from their disappointing loss to Cayuga on Saturday by earning a solid win over the Onondaga CC Lazers on Sunday afternoon. FM led by just one point at halftime, but played a strong second 20 minutes and posted an 85-76 win.

Both teams were out to prove that they are better than their early-season records. OCC entered the game at 3-3, and FM was 1-2.

Photo:  Tyrone Davis drives the lane in early going

While the home team's shooting was cold in the opening minutes, OCC was showing that they could score from outside the arc.  After two quick Onondaga three-pointers, FM was looking up at an 8-2 score. But Darius Ward tallied a field goal and two free throws, and Kadeem Stanislas stole the ball and sank a long two to tie the game 8-8.

The visiting Lazers went ahead for a while, but two long twos by Stanislas kept FM close. Bryant Jack's field goal knotted the game again, at 16-16. (See photo at the bottom of this page.)

Photo:  Jerrell Burnett passes to Kenny Barr

Both teams played well for the remainder of the half. The Lazers maintained a lead of a point or two for a few minutes, but Jordan Stewart hit a big three to put FM on top 29-28 with 3:20 remaining in the opening 20. Dondre Simmons drove for two, and the Raiders led 35-31. However, the taller Lazers scrapped and hustled and sank two more threes before the half. The teams went into the break with FM ahead 41-40.

Head Coach Ed Collar's men took the floor in the second half and proved to be the better team for the rest of the game. Tyrone Davis hit for two, Kenny Barr scored a three from the left corner, and FM led 46-41.

Stanislas followed a nice jumper with an alert drive down the left side of the lane. 50-45. A Bryant Jack put-back, two Tyrone Davis free throws, a Stanislas FT, and another goal from beyond the arc by Simmons had FM leading 59-48.

There was give and take, but the two teams traded baskets for most of the remainder of the game, much of which was spent at the foul lines. Darius Ward cashed in on a breakaway. Carlos Rivera and Ward drained FT's, and the game ended 85-76.

Photo:  Darius Ward

FM's record is now 2-2 for the young season. The team will travel to SUNY Adirondack for a game on Saturday and will head north for a matchup with Jefferson CC on Sunday. Both contests are set to tip off around 3:00 p.m.

                                  C.J. Bonny, website writer

Click here for video highlights.

Scoring:

Onondaga:  Brantley 18, Honahan 9, Piazza 7, Kline 12, Bliss 6, Granato 2, McKinney 6, Twiss 12, Hanley 4; Total 76

FM:  Barr 9, Simmons 9, Jack 15, Rivera 4, Burnett 5, Ward 7, Edwards 2, Stanislas 12, Stewart 12, Tyrone Davis 6, Baum 3, Giddings1; Total 85

Photo:  Bryant Jack scores to tie the game at 16-all – Kenny Barr is on the left and Khaleeq Baum is to the right

 

.