All Five Lakers Starters Score in Double Figures in FLCC Home Win
CANANDAIGUA – Finger Lakes picked up its fifth conference victory of the season on Wednesday night when it took down the Onondaga CC Lazers on its own court – 84-58. The Lakers, on a night where they shot a stifling 52% (34-65) from the field, were led offensively by Sean Carbonell's 19 points (game and season-high). The sophomore, who was 8-14 from the floor, helped lead Finger Lakes to a 46-20 halftime lead with his 13 first half points.
Carbonell was one of five Lakers starters who reached double digits in scoring in the MSAC matchup. Following him for Finger Lakes with a pair of 12-point showings were Richard De La Cruz and Will Arberry. Rounding out the Lakers starting five with 11-point and 10-point performances respectively were Kaleem Edwards and Kelvin Munoz. Carbonell, De La Cruz, Arberry, Edwards, and Munoz combined to shoot 59% from the floor where they were 27-46 on the night.
The Lakers set the tone of the game offensively with their first half scoring outburst. The Lazers, who as a team shot just 27% from the court in the first half, showed no signs of quit despite what the scoreboard read heading into the final half. In the second 20 minutes of the contest, Onondaga chipped away at the lead – but was overcome by Finger Lakes offense late in the game.
Both teams scored 38 second half points. The Lazers, who were led by Vaughndell Brantley's 15 points, were 13-28 (46%) from the field in the final half.
Finger Lakes, defensively, played a quality game in the win. As a unit, it gathered 43 rebounds (30 of which came on the defensive side of the ball). Arberry led the hosts in rebounding with 9 boards. De La Cruz pulled down 7 rebounds in 29 minutes while Carbonell, Edwards, and Munoz each collected 6 rebounds apiece. The Lazers, who accrued 26 rebounds as a squad, received a team-best 9 rebounds out of Garrett Sisson.
In the passing department, the games leading passer was credited to Lakers point guard Dominique Higgins. In 22 minutes off of the bench, the freshman passed out a game-high 5 assists. In addition to his assists, Higgins scored 6 points and registered 5 rebounds all while putting claim to a game-high 4 steals.
Onondaga, in addition to Brantley's offense, received 12 points out of Tyler Wood. Adding a pair of 8-point efforts for the Lazers were Sisson and Adam Misener. Misener, to go along with his 8 points, handed out a team-high 4 assists.
Wednesday's win equaled Finger Lakes fourth in a row. Over their last 7 games, the Lakers have assembled a 6-1 record. In its next contest, which is slated to take place this Saturday (1/26) at Putt Moore Court, Finger Lakes will host conference foes Tompkins Cortland CC at home. Game time tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m.