A late rally wasn't enough for the Tompkins Cortland men's basketball team to overcome a cold-shooting night as the Panthers lost to Jefferson Community College 82-72 on Wednesday. The Panthers are now 4-13 overall and 1-7 in the Mid-State Athletic Conference and Jefferson is 12-6 overall and 4-3 in the MSAC.

The Panthers led 11-8 early before Jefferson used a 15-1 run to move in front. The Canonneers continued to pull away the rest of the half, taking a 46-32 lead into the break. The Panthers chipped away in the second half, getting the margin down to six points in the first seven minutes of the half. Leading 55-49, Jefferson went on a 12-2 run to push the lead back to 16 points. The difference remained in double figures until the final minute when Tompkins Cortland rallied to within seven points at 79-72 with 30 seconds left. The final three points by the Canonneers made the final 82-72.

Derek Brower (Queens/Half Hollow Hills West H.S.) led the Panthers with 22 points while also grabbing 7 rebounds. Devonte Henry (Brooklyn/Boys and Girls H.S.) had a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds. Marven Louissaint (Brooklyn/Erasmus Hall H.S.) also finished with a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The Panthers are back home Friday against SUNY Broome.