Cayuga Community College’s men’s basketball team was unable to pull off another second-half comeback on Saturday, dropping an 85–80 home decision to Onondaga Community College.
Coming off a dramatic rally from a 15-point deficit two days earlier against Genesee Community College, the Spartans again found themselves trailing in the second half. This time, however, Cayuga was unable to overcome the deficit, falling to 3–12 on the season.
Cayuga started the game strong, opening with a 13–0 run fueled by steals and layups from Jadeir Breedlove and a three-pointer by Josiah Murphy. The Spartans built a lead as large as 15 points before the Lazers battled back, erasing the deficit and briefly taking the lead. A late layup by Marcus Pasha in the final seconds of the first half sent Cayuga into the break with a narrow 34–33 advantage.
Onondaga came out quickly in the second half and held the lead for most of the period. Cayuga tied the game multiple times in the closing minutes, including on a pair of free throws by Murphy and later on a Murphy layup, but the Spartans were unable to regain the lead.
Pasha paced Cayuga with 21 points and tied for the team lead with eight rebounds. Murphy finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, Kirk McFarlane added 14 points and seven rebounds, and Jai Clayton contributed 15 points.
Cayuga returns to action at home on Wednesday, Jan. 28, when the Spartans host Tompkins Cortland Community College. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
