The Panthers men's basketball team improved to 8-1 in the Mid-State Athletic Conference with a 77-52 win over Finger Lakes Community College Saturday. The victory improve Tompkins Cortland 10-4 overall while Finger Lakes drops to 4-5 in MSAC and 6-11 overall.

The Panthers never trailed, leading by as many as 23 points in the first half before the Lakers went on a 10-0 run to close out the half with Tompkins Cortland up 41-28. The lead stayed in double figures the entire second half, methodically growing to a peak of 33 points before settling in at the final 25-point margin.

Five Panthers scored in double figures, led by Khai Pugh (Syracuse/Nottingham H.S.) with 18 points and 6 rebounds. Javonte Long (Harlem/Clayton H.S.) just missed a double-double with 11 points and 9 assists, picking up 4 steals along the way. Bryan Viscaino (Manhattan/Monsignor Scanlon H.S.) and Marqiis Samuels (Long Island/The Patrick School) each had 13 points and Damari Johnson (Binghamton/Johnson City H.S.) scored 12 points, all on first-half 3-pointers.

Looking ahead

The Panthers travel to Watertown Sunday to take on Jefferson Community College.