The Tompkins Cortland women's basketball team came from behind Thursday to pick up their second straight win, 45-41 over Finger Lakes Community College. The win improves Tompkins Cortland to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the Mid-State Athletic Conference. Finger Lakes drops to 2-7 overall and 0-1 in the MSAC.

The game was tied at 15-15 after the first quarter, but Panthers went into a slumber on the offensive end over the next two quarters, scoring just 13 points and falling behind 35-28 heading into the fourth quarter. After making just 11.1 and 16.7 percent from the floor in the second and third quarters, Tompkins Cortland came out strong in the fourth. A 7-0 run to open the quarter, including five from Simone Smith (Ithaca/Ithaca H.S.), tied the game a 35-35. The Lakers scored the next four, but a steal and layup Adrianna Royce (Newfield/Newfield H.S.) cut the deficit in half and sparked a 9-0 run that put the Panthers ahead 44-39 in the final minute of play. After a Finger Lakes basket made it a three-point game, Madison Kelly (Moravia/Moravia H.S.) sank a free throw to seal the win and make the final 45-41.

Kelly led the team with 13 points, including 6 in the final quarter. Thea Holdman (Singapore/International Community School) and Royce each had a career best in points and rebounds, with Holdman posting 11 and 11 and Royce going for 10 and 10. Smith also set new career highs, finishing with 7 points and 8 rebounds.

Looking ahead

The Panthers head to Saranac Lake to take on North Country Community College on Sunday.