The Tompkins Cortland women's basketball season opened at home Friday, with the Panthers taking on Northampton Community College (Penn.) in a non-region game. After a close start, the Panthers pulled away for a 72-56 win.
The first point of the new season came from the free throw line. Shantasia Jeffrey (Harlem/Curtis H.S.) converted a foul shot in the opening minute as the Panthers jumped out to a 5-0 lead. The Spartans answered, tying the game at 8-8. Tompkins Cortland reclaimed the lead and held a 15-12 advantage after one quarter.
The lead grew to five points in the second quarter before the Spartans rallied to cut it to one point at the half, 26-25. An 11-2 run to open the third gave the home team a ten-point lead at 37-27. Northampton cut the spread to five points late in the quarter, but the Panthers closed out the quarter with a 7-0 run to lead 51-39 heading into the final quarter. In the fourth, the lead continued to grow, peaking at 29 points before settling at the final 72-56 margin.
K'Anndra Rhoden (Brentwood/Brentwood H.S.) had a big night for the Panthers, leading all scorers with 27 points to go with 8 steals, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Jeffrey poured in 17 points along with 6 rebounds, 5 steals, and 4 assists. Mackenzie Constable (Sidney/Sidney H.S.) added 8 points and 7 rebounds.
With some of the team's originally scheduled games canceled, the Panthers have a bit of a break before playing their next game. The Region III opener for Tompkins Cortland will come on November 12 at Herkimer College.