After taking a ten-point lead early, the Panthers couldn't hold on, losing a sloppy game to Fulton-Montgomery Community College, 72-57. Tompkins Cortland is now 2-3 overall and 1-3 in Region III. Fulton-Montgomery is 3-2 overall and 2-2 in region.
The Panthers came out strong, taking a 15-5 lead with Ashley Shortsleeve (Cortland/Cortland H.S.) pacing the attack with a pair of three-pointers. The Raiders rebounded, cutting the lead down to 20-17 at the end of the quarter. The visitors kept the momentum in the second quarter, outscoring the Panthers 20-9 to lead 37-29 at the half.
After the break, the Raiders scored the first 11 points to move ahead 48-29. Neither team was able to go on another sustained run the rest of the way, and with the teams combining for 50 fouls and 55 turnovers, it was difficult for the Panthers to find a rhythm to mount a comeback.
Shortsleeve finished the game with a team-best 15 points. Shaylin Heidl (Candor/Candor H.S.) came up a rebound short of a double-double for the second straight game, posting 12 points and 9 boards. K'Anndra Rhoden (Brentwood/Brentwood H.S.) added 13 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Shantasia Jeffrey (Harlem/Curtis H.S.) chipped in with 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 steals.
Next up for the Panthers is a Saturday trip to Mohawk Valley Community College.