The 2021-22 season opener was tale of two halves for the Tompkins Cortland women's basketball team on Wednesday. A very promising first half was followed by a less productive second half, with the Panthers eventually losing to Genesee Community College 64-52. 

The first quarter was exciting for Tompkins Cortland. Playing at home, the Panthers gave up the first four points before roaring back with a 16-4 run to lead 6-8. The margin was ten points in the final minute of the quarter before the horn sounded with the Panthers up 20-12. The second quarter opened with the Panthers going the first seven minutes without scoring, but the team regained its footing in the closing minutes to take a 28-24 lead into the half.

Tompkins Cortland stretched the lead to 32-25 before Genesee rallied to tie the game at 34-34. The teams traded the lead over the closing minutes of the quarter with Genesee up 42-39 at the end of the third. The Panthers kept within striking distance the rest of the way, but could never recapture the lead as Genesee sealed the win by shooting 45% from the floor and earning nine trips to the free throw line in the final ten minutes of play.

Madison Kelly (Moravia/Moravia H.S.) led the Panthers with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 5 steals. Karissa Wilbur (McGraw/McGraw H.S.) scored 10 points and Morgan Gunn (Groton/Groton H.S.) finished with 9 points.

Looking ahead

The Panthers are next in action when they host Herkimer College Tuesday, November 9.