The Panthers closed out the fall semester portion of their schedule by hosting the top-ranked team in the nation on Sunday. Mohawk Valley came to Dryden as the defending national champions with a perfect 6-0 record, and the Panthers very nearly pulled off the upset, leading in the final minute before falling 73-71. TC3 is now 3-4 while Mohawk Valley improves to 7-0.

The Panthers started strong, jumping out to a 20-6 lead early in the first half. The Hawks chipped away the rest of the half, sending the teams to the break with TC3 up 40-34. Mohawk Valley quickly erased the deficit by scoring the first eight points of the second half to move in front 42-40. The teams traded the lead five more times before Mohawk Valley built their biggest lead of the game, 62-55, with just over eight minutes left. This time it was the home team chipping away, finally catching up and moving back in front 69-68 on a pair of Jah-Mel Bruce free throws with 2:28 left. Neither team could convert on their next few possessions before the Hawks scored with 1:05 to go in front 70-69. A driving bucket by Bruce gave the home team the lead at 71-70 with 40 seconds left, but the visitors answered with a score with 22.9 seconds left. After holding the ball for the final shot, a turnover and foul led to a Mohawk Valley free throw to make the final score 72-70.

Bruce had a full stat line of 27 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Juelz Lewis had season highs in scoring and rebounds while posting a double-double of 14 points and 12 boards. Justin Mack was next on the team with 9 points and 5 rebounds, and Kashif Summers, Jr. had a team-high 4 assists to go with 6 points and 4 rebounds.

Looking ahead

The Panthers are off for finals and the winter break. The next game on the schedule is January 8 at home vs. Monroe Community College.