A late rally came up short just Friday as the Tompkins Cortland women's basketball team dropped a heartbreaker to SUNY Broome, 60-59. The Panthers slip to 3-13 overall and 1-8 in the Mid-State Athletic Conference. Broome is now 7-13 overall and 3-4 in the MSAC. 

The visiting Hornets had the hot hand early, connecting on 4-of-6 from 3-point range in the first quarter to take a 23-13 lead. The Panthers clawed back in the second quarter, getting to within two points before ending the half with the Hornets up 31-25.           

The rally continued in the third quarter, and an 8-0 run in the middle of the quarter ended with a driving bucket by Shaylin Heidl (Candor/Candor H.S.) to tie the game at 39-39. After trading points, a pair of free throws by K'Anndra Rhoden (Brentwood/Brentwood H.S.) with 14.9 seconds left in the third gave the home team its first lead, 43-42. A late Broome basket gave the Hornets a 44-43 advantage heading to the final quarter.

The fourth opened with Mackenzie Constable (Sidney/Sidney H.S.) draining a 3-pointer to put the Panthers back in front. The lead changed hands three times over the next few minutes before reaching the five-minute mark tied at 51-51.  A pair of 3-pointer put the Hornets back up 57-51, but the Panthers responded. After trading baskets, Constable connected on a pair of 3-pointers to tie the game at 59-59 with 1:16 left. Each team missed a shot on their next possession before a foul sent Broome to the line with 20 seconds left. The Hornet made 1-of-2, making the score 60-59 and giving the Panthers a chance for a final possession. Moving the ball to the frontcourt with Broome applying pressure, the Panthers drew a foul as the clock ticked down. With less than four seconds left, the Panthers couldn't convert either free throw, securing the win for Broome.

Three Panthers reached double figures in scoring, led by Constable with 15 points, all on 3-pointers. Heidl had a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Rhoden also had a double-double, posting 13 points and 12 rebounds to go with 4 steals and 3 assists. Elizabeth Ripley (Moravia/Home Schooled) finished with 9 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 assists.

The Panthers are home Wednesday against Corning Community College.