The Tompkins Cortland Community College men's basketball team entered Tuesday's regular season finale having won three of their last four, with the lone loss a close game with the top-ranked team in the region. But on Tuesday, the Panthers were no match for the sharp-shooting of Finger Lakes Community College, losing by a final of 70-59. The Panthers end the regular season with a record of 10-11 overall and 6-8 in the MSAC. Finger Lakes ends its season 7-20 overall and 4-10 in the MSAC.

The visiting Lakers were very comfortable shooting in the Tompkins Cortland gym, especially early on. Finger Lakes hit on six of their first nine 3-pointers while racing out to a 24-4 lead. The Lakers cooled down the rest of the half, but the Panthers could never get anything going. The home team made just one of 12 from behind the arc in the opening half, falling into a 46-23 hole at the break.

The Panthers made a move to open the second half, using an 8-0 run to get the deficit to 15 at 46-31 with 16:14 left to play. A few minutes later the lead was down to 14 points at 38-52, but the Lakers pushed it back over 20 points with just over six minutes left. The Panther eventually cut the deficit in half, getting within ten in the final minute, but it was too late to change the outcome. By the final horn, Finger Lakes had converted on 10-of-27 3-pointers, while the Panthers made just 3-of-30, helping send the home team to a disappointing defeat.

Justin Sykes (Harlem/Lyons Community School) led the team in rebounds and assists while posting 10 points, 12 boards, and 4 assists. Emond Frazier (Center Moriches/Center Moriches H.S.) had a team-high 13 points and Deamontae Riley (Buffalo/Burgard H.S.) added 10 points.

Looking ahead

The Panthers now await word on an expected NJCAA Region 3 playoff bid. Playoff seedings will be announced Thursday with first round games on Saturday.