The Panthers women's basketball team fell behind early to Cayuga Community College on Wednesday and despite getting close, could never make it all the way back, losing 55-43. The Panthers are now 5-9 overall and 3-5 in the Mid-State Athletic Conference. Cayuga is 7-10 overall and also 3-5 in the MSAC.

The game opened with Cayuga scoring the first nine points and eventually holding a 16-6 lead after the first quarter. The Panthers steadied things in the second quarter and the Cayuga lead was 28-16 at the half.

The start of the second half was the mirror opposite of the first, with the Panthers going on an 8-0 run over the first three minutes to bring it to 28-24.  The teams mostly traded baskets the rest of the third, with Cayuga heading to the fourth ahead 36-30. After the Panthers scored the first point of the fourth quarter, Cayuga scored six straight to push the lead back to double digits, 42-31, with 7:03 left to play. Over the next three minutes the Panthers chipped away, again pulling within four points, 44-40, with just under four minutes left. The Spartans responded one final time, making some clutch shots to close on an 11-3 run and seal the win.

Cassie Doane (Candor/Owego Free Academy) had a double-double of 13 points and 17 rebounds. Amyra Portillos (Sandia Park, N.M./Manzano H.S.) also had 13 points, collecting 6 rebounds. Rylan Robicheaux (Lockport, La./Central Lafourche H.S.) finished with 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals and Michaela Jean-Philippe (Binghamton/Binghamton H.S.) had 8 points and 7 boards. 

Looking ahead

The Panthers next play at Onondaga Community College on Wednesday, February 5.