The Tompkins Cortland Community College women's basketball comeback bid against Hudson Valley Community College ran out of steam in the fourth quarter as the Panthers fell to the Vikings, 59-44. The Panthers are now 5-6 overall and 4-4 in regional play. Hudson Valley improves to 5-5 overall and 4-4 in region.

The Panthers were fighting from behind most of the game. After scoring a layup off the opening tip, the Panthers were held without a basket from the floor the rest of the first quarter as Hudson Valley led 16-3 after the first ten minutes. Things turned around in the second quarter, thanks largely to 10 points from Amarionah Dixon (Elmira/Elmira H.S.), and the Panthers were within one at the half, trailing 27-26.

Dixon put the Panthers ahead with a layup on the first possession of the third quarter. The teams traded the lead twice more before the quarter ended with Tompkins Cortland ahead 39-38. The energy exerted in the comeback seemed to catch up with the Panthers in the final quarter, as the home team didn't score for the first six minutes of the quarter. When Karissa Wilbur (McGraw/McGraw H.S.) drained a 3-pointer with 3:41 left in the game, the Panthers were trailing by four, 46-42. The basket couldn't kick-start the offense, and the Vikings pulled away for the 15-point win.

Dixon finished with team-highs of 17 points and 14 rebounds. Wilbur had 16 points and Adrianna Royce (Newfield/Newfield H.S.) added nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

Looking ahead

The Panthers next play on Saturday at Finger Lakes Community College.