The Tompkins Cortland Community College men's basketball team never trailed Wednesday, claiming a 94-74 win at Finger Lakes Community College. The victory improves the Panthers to 4-5 overall, 4-4 in Region III, and 1-1 in the Mid-State Athletic Conference. Finger Lakes falls to 6-5 overall, 2-5 in region, and 0-1 in the MSAC.
After struggling early the last two games, the Panthers came out strong against the Lakers. Tompkins Cortland jumped ahead 48-33 in the first half and never were threatened in the second, making better than 56 percent from the floor along the way. Tompkins Cortland enjoyed a particularly large advantage in bench scoring: the Panthers has 38 points from non-starters while the Lakers had just 13.
By the final horn, 13 of the 14 Panthers dressed for the game has scored at least two points. Jonathan Baker (Staten Island/Curtis H.S.) led the team with 23 points to go with 3 rebounds and 3 steals. Anthony Simpson (Bay Shore/Bay Shore H.S.) was next with 11 points and 5 boards and Jaisym Smith (Roosevelt /Roosevelt H.S.) had 11 points and 5 rebounds.
The Panthers play at home Sunday against Hudson Valley Community College. The 3 p.m. game is the final contest of the semester, with the team heading into a month-long break from games for final exams and the holidays.