Playing with just five available players, the Panthers women's basketball team pulled out a gritty 43-29 win over Finger Lakes Community College Saturday. The win moves the Panthers to 5-8 overall and 3-4 in the Mid-State Athletic Conference. Finger Lakes is now 6-8 overall and 3-4 in the MSAC.

A fast start gave the Panthers a big early lead. The home team jumped out 15-2 in the opening minutes before Finger Lakes scored the final seven points of the first quarter to make it 15-9 at the first break. The Lakers continued their rally, eventually catching all the way up and taking a 20-17 into halftime. The third started with six straight from the Panthers, and after the teams traded the lead once, the Panthers moved ahead for good midway through the third. The Lakers got within one in the fourth, but the home team sealed the win, scoring the last three points of the game.

Michaela Jean-Philippe (Binghamton/Binghamton H.S.) led all scorers with 21 points while also pulling down 9 rebounds. Thalia Jackson (Glendale, Ariz./Raymond S. Kellis H.S.) had a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards. Cassie Doane (Candor/Owego Free Academy) was a force inside, collecting 17 rebounds.

Looking ahead

The Panthers host Cayuga Community College Wednesday.