The shorthanded Panthers women's basketball team came up just short against Cayuga Community College on Wednesday, losing 66-57. Tompkins Cortland drops to 6-5 overall and 4-3 in the Mid-State Athletic Conference. Cayuga moves to 5-8 overall and 3-4 in the MSAC.

The home fell behind big early. The Panthers scored the game's first bucket, but Cayuga dominated the rest of the quarter, taking an 18-4 lead after the first ten minutes. The home team straightened things out in the second, getting back into the game with a 21-13 advantage in the quarter to pull within 31-25 at halftime.  The home team continued to cut into the lead in third, ending the quarter down 42-37.

Cayuga led 50-44 early in the fourth, but the Panthers went on a 10-0 run, taking the lead on a 3-pointer by Amyra Portillos (Sandi Park, N.M./Manzano H.S.) and extending the lead to 54-50 on a Portillos jumper in the lane with 3:55 left to play. Unfortunately for the home team, it would be the last points for a three-minute stretch, and the Spartans took advantage with a 14-0 run to regain the lead and push it to ten at 64-54, sealing the win.

The Panthers dressed only five players, and they all contributed. Promise Myers (Binghamton/Binghamton H.S.) had a career-high 27 points and Gabby Foley (Barton/Tioga H.S.) put in 11 points. Amarionah Dixon (Elmira/Elmira H.S.) scored 7 to go with 14 rebounds and 5 steals. Portillos also had 7 points, and Abby Foley (Barton/Tioga H.S.) finished with 5 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals.

Looking ahead

The Panthers game vs. Finger Lakes Community College on Saturday has been cancelled, with Finger Lakes forfeiting the game to the Panthers. Tompkins Cortland will return to the court Sunday at Jefferson Community College.