The Panthers held off a second-half challenge before pulling away to post a 91-73 win over Finger Lakes Community College on Saturday. TC3 is now 11-8 overall and 7-4 in the Mid-State Athletic Conference, while Finger Lakes is 9-14 overall and 4-8 in the MSAC.

After honoring the three sophomores during a pregame ceremony, the Panthers went back-and-forth with the Lakers before using a 21-8 run late in the first half to take a 46-36 lead at the break. Finger Lakes came out hot in the second half, scoring 10 of the first 11 points of the second half to make it a one-point game at 47-46. A big 3-pointer from Malachi Brown was followed by an offensive rebound and put-back basket by Jah-Mel Bruce to get the lead back to six points. The margin continued to grow getting back to double figures at 62-52 with ten minutes left, and inched higher the rest of the way.

Bruce paced the team with 27 points, 11 rebounds, 6 steals, and 5 assists. Kashif Summers, Jr. also had a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds, and tied for the team lead with 5 assists. Isaiah Perkins poured in 21 points, and Izeir Mayben and Brown each had 9 points.

Looking ahead

The Panthers play at SUNY Broome tomorrow.