After rallying back from a dreadful start, the Panthers women's basketball team fell just short, losing 56-52 in the opening round of the NJCAA Region 3 playoffs against Finger Lakes Community College. The Panthers, the #10 seed in the postseason tournament, end the season with a record of 7-13. Finger Lakes advances as the #7 seed with a record of 11-14.
It was a rough start for the Panthers. Over the first seven minutes of play, the Panthers made just 1-of-11 from the floor while turning the ball over six times. The result was a 13-2 deficit, but the Panthers turned things around in the closing minutes to end the quarter down 13-7. The second quarter seemed to bring out a completely different team. After making less than 19% from the floor in the first, the Panthers combined to drain 9-of-14 (64.3%) in the second, including 3-of-5 on 3-pointers, and moved ahead 31-28 at the half.
The turnover bug bit again in the second half, with six in the third quarter as the Lakers reclaimed the lead, 43-41. A free throw by Cassie Doane (Candor/Owego Free Academy) made it a one-point game in the first minute of the fourth, but the Panthers couldn't get all the way back to tie the game. After keeping the game close, a basket by Doane with 2:30 made it a one-point game again, 51-50. Neither team could score over the next two minutes before Finger Lakes converted a pair of free throws to make it 53-50 with 26 seconds left. An offensive foul called on the Panthers on the next possession gave the ball back to the Lakers, and home team put the game away at the foul line.
Michaela Jean-Philippe (Binghamton/Binghamton H.S.) put up big numbers with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 steals. Doane ended the season with her 11th double-double, 12 points and 11 rebounds. Amyra Portillos (Sandia Park, N.M./Manzano H.S.) added 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists.