Spartans Earn Road Win Behind Late Run

Cayuga Community College Women's Basketball picked up a huge road win Wednesday after dominating the final minutes against Tompkins Cortland Community College.

The Spartans built an early lead but trailed late before outscoring the Panthers 16-3 in the last four minutes to earn a 66-57 conference and regional win. Cayuga avenged an earlier loss this season to the Panthers and is now 5-8 on the season and 3-4 in conference play.

Coach Jim Alberici said he was proud of the team, particularly for coming back in the fourth quarter after losing a lead they held through the first three frames.

"We never panicked, even when we were down in the final minutes. We recorded six straight stops and six straight trips with a basket or made free throws. That's not easy to do, particularly on the road. If you can do it, you usually win the game," he said.

The Spartans dominated the first quarter, holding the Panthers to 2-of-15 shooting and outscoring them 18-4 behind five points each from Haley Mosch and Maddy Weed. Tompkins Cortland started the second quarter on an 8-0 run, though, and the Spartans' lead was just six at halftime.

Cayuga held the lead throughout the third quarter and the early minutes of the fourth quarter before a 10-0 run by the Panthers put Tompkins Cortland ahead 50-44 with four minutes remaining. Six straight points from Mosch put Cayuga back in the lead, and consecutive layups from Weed and free throws from Lexi Alberici and Avrey Colton put the game away for the Spartans.

Mosch finished with 18 points, six rebounds and four steals, and Colton finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Weed added 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks, and Alberici had 11 points, five assists, four rebounds and four steals. Lamontiona Johnson had seven rebounds and a game-high six steals.

Cayuga is back home to host Onondaga Community College on Saturday, January 20. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.