After leading most of the game, the Tompkins Cortland Community College women's basketball team needed a strong finish to pull out a crucial 55-49 win over Jefferson Community College Wednesday. The win moves the Panthers into a tie with Jefferson for third place in the Mid-State Athletic Conference with both teams sporting a record of 4-3 in conference and 10-7 overall.
The lead changed hands three times in the opening quarter, with the Panthers holding a 15-14 lead at the end. An 8-0 run to start the second quarter helped the Panthers run to a 29-19 halftime lead, and after a third quarter that saw both teams struggle to score, the home team entered the final quarter leading 38-28.
Tompkins Cortland remained cold to start the fourth, as Jefferson erased the lead by outscoring the Panthers 12-2 over the first 7:40 of the quarter. After the Cannoneers tied the game at 40-40, Jaida Washington (Elmira/Elmira H.S.) put the Panthers back in front, scoring a bucket and converting the three-point play with a free throw to make the score 43-40 with 2:09 left. After scored to cut the lead to one, the teams each connected on a free throw line to make the score 44-43 heading into the final minute. Nursing the one-point lead with time running out, Taylor Day (Brooktondale/Ithaca H.S.) delivered the biggest three-pointer of the day, draining a shot as the shot clock ran down to put the Panthers up 47-43 with 42 seconds left. After getting the ball back, Day was fouled and connected on a pair of free throws to move the margin to 49-43. A quick, long three-pointer by Jefferson made it a three-point lead, but a free throw by Tatiana Minnick (Ithaca/Ithaca H.S.) made it 50-46, but Jefferson answered with a free throw of their own to make it 50-47 with 20 seconds left. A quick basket by Reyanah Brown (Syracuse/Syracuse Academy of Science) made it 51-47 with 18.1 seconds left, but Jefferson wouldn't go away, scoring a basket with 7 seconds left to make it 51-49. Two free throws by Washington sealed the win with 9.8 seconds left, and two more from Brown with 2.7 seconds put the icing on the win.
Day had ax career high for the second straight game, scoring 24 points by connecting on 4 two-pointers, 4 three-pointers, and 4 free throws. Washington had another fantastic stat line of 14 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 blocks. Brown just missed a double-double with 9 points and 13 rebounds.
The Panthers are home again Friday, hosting SUNY Broome at 6 p.m.