The first game in over a month was an exciting one for the Tompkins Cortland women's basketball team as the Panthers came back from an early hole, built a big lead, and then held on for a 57-56 win over Corning Community College. The home win improves the Panthers to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the Mid-State Athletic Conference. Corning drops to 1-7 overall and 0-1 in the MSAC.
It was the first game after the holiday break for both teams, and the rust was apparent. The Panthers took over three minutes before scoring for the first time, and shot just 3-for-16 from the floor in the first quarter. Trailing 14-9 after ten minutes, the home team got things turned around in the second quarter, ripping off 23 points to storm out to a 32-25 lead at the half. The duo of Madison Kelly (Moravia/Moravia H.S.) and Karissa Wilbur (McGraw/McGraw H.S.) led the way for the Panthers, combining to match Corning's team total of 25 points in the first half.
The third quarter saw the home lead peak at 11 points before ending the period with a 45-36 lead. Corning went on an 8-0 run to open the fourth quarter before Adrianna Royce (Newfield/Newfield H.S.) snapped the streak with a bucket to put the Panthers up 47-44. Five more from the Red Barons moved the visitors ahead, but Wilbur scored six straight on her own to put the Panthers back in front, 53-49 with just over three minutes left on the clock. A Corning three-pointer made it a one-point game, but Kelly and Simone Smith (Ithaca/Ithaca H.S.) each made layups to push the cushion to 57-52 with under two minutes to play. Four free throws for Corning made it a one-point game again, 57-56, with 41 seconds left. A Tompkins Cortland possession came up empty, giving Corning one final chance. Strong defense over the final 17 seconds forced Corning into a contested shot that missed at the buzzer, sealing the win for the Panthers.
Kelly and Wilbur each finished with double-doubles. Kelly went for a game-high 20 points to go with 12 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists. Wilbur had a monster stat line as well, going for 17 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks. Angelina Oliver (Moravia/Moravia H.S.) was a third Panther to reach double figures in scoring, netting 13 points to go with 7 rebounds and 3 steals. Royce and Morgan Gunn (Groton/Groton H.S.) just missed double figures in rebounds with each finishing with 9 boards.
Looking ahead
The Panthers are set to host a pair of games this weekend, starting with Fulton-Montgomery Community College on Saturday. Sunday's opponent is Jefferson Community College. Both games are set to start at 1 p.m.