From the opening minutes of Wednesday's game against Jefferson Community College, the Tompkins Cortland women's basketball team had to deal with foul trouble. Ultimately, it proved to be too much as the Panthers faded in the second half of a 76-53 loss to the Cannoneers. The Panthers drop to 3-12 overall and 1-7 in the Mid-State Athletic Conference. Jefferson is now 9-7 overall and 6-1 in the MSAC. 

The foul trouble started early. In the first quarter, the Panthers had been whistled for eight fouls before the first call against Jefferson, which came with 1:30 left in the quarter. The quarter ended with the Cannoneers ahead 19-13, and three Panthers already with two fouls. After scoring 9 points in the first quarter, Elizabeth Ripley (Moravia/Home Schooled) added 8 more in the second, and along with 9 from Ashley Shortsleeve (Cortland/Cortland H.S.), helped the Panthers get back into the game. Despite another lopsided quarter in the fouls column, the game went to the half tied at 37-37, and with five Panthers in serious foul trouble.

Things started to catch up with the home team in the third quarter. With playing time being restricted due to fouls, Jefferson pulled ahead 59-48. The final quarter saw four Panthers foul out, and any chance of a comeback went to the bench with them.

By the final horn, only one Panther had been able to stay on the floor for more than 29 minutes as the team totaled 31 fouls. By contrast, the Cannoneers had four starters play at least 39 minutes each as the team totaled just 13 fouls. A relatively close game in most other aspects, Jefferson scored 18 more points than the Panthers from the foul line.

Ripley scored 17 points, all in the first half, to lead the Panthers. K'Anndra Rhoden (Brentwood/Brentwood H.S.) posted 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.

The Panthers are back at it on Friday, hosting SUNY Broome at 5 p.m.