After leading comfortably the entire game, the Tompkins Cortland women's basketball team withstood a hectic finish to post their first win of the season, 56-49 over Mohawk Valley Community College. Tompkins Cortland is now 1-2 on the season while Mohawk Valley drops to 1-4.

The Panthers never trailed in the game, moving to a 32-18 halftime lead after making 50% of their three-pointers (5-of-10). The lead grew as the second half started, with a pair of free throws by Madison Kelly (Moravia/Moravia H.S.) pushing the lead to 20 points midway through the third quarter, 42-22. The Hawks The margin was 48-31 at the end of the third quarter, but foul trouble made things interesting in the fourth.

In the first two minutes of the fourth quarter, two Panthers fouled out. At the time the lead stood at 50-37, but the Hawks made a quick move to cut the lead to 52-43 with seven minutes left. A layup by Thea Holdman (Singapore/International Community School) provided the only points for either team over the next six minutes, making the score 54-43 heading into the final two minutes of play. A pair of free throws by Karissa Wilbur (McGraw/McGraw H.S.) accounted for the final points for the Panthers, securing the win for the home team.

Wilbur led the Panthers with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, finishing the game with 6 steals and 3 assists. Kelly netted 11 points along with 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals. Adrianna Royce (Newfield/Newfield H.S.) came close to a double-double with 8 points and 9 rebounds, handing out 4 assists along the way.

Looking ahead

The Panthers are off until after the Thanksgiving break when they host Jefferson Community College on November 30.