The Tompkins Cortland Community College men's basketball team improved to 2-1 on the season with a hard-fought 60-56 win over Schenectady County Community College on Tuesday. The Panthers' second straight win drops Schenectady to 0-3 on the year.
Schenectady opened the game's scoring, but the Panthers responded with six straight to take the lead. Schenectady rallied back to tie the score again, but Tompkins Cortland went on a run that left the home team with a 28-13 lead with about five minute left in the half. A cold spell to close out the half cut the lead down to ten at 30-20.
The Panthers weren't able to put Schenectady away until the closing seconds of the second half. Early in the period the Royals pulled with five at 38-33, but could get no closer until a mini-run made it a four-point game at 51-47 with under six minute left to play. After the teams traded baskets, a three-pointer from Bakary Magas (Harlem/Heritage H.S.) gave the Panthers some breathing room at 56-49 with 3:50 left to play. A little more than two minutes later Mario Antenor (Lauderdale Lakes, Fla./Coconut Creek H.S.) scored a layup to make it 60-52 with 1:36 left. It was the last points the Panthers would score, but the defense held on by limiting the Royals to just one basket from the floor the rest of the way.
Jonathan Baker (Staten Island/Curtis H.S.) finished the night with a game-high 17 points. Magas and Antenor each had 13 points, with Magas grabbing 7 rebounds. Tahleek Weekes (South Queens/Construction H.S.) led the team in rebounds and steals with 9 and 3, respectively.
The Panthers have a week off before playing again. Next up is a game at Herkimer College on Tuesday, November 14.