Box Score SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's basketball team lost a close game with Skidmore Saturday night, falling to the Thoroughbreds by a score of 82-74 at the Williamson Sports Center in the opening game of 2014-15.
 
The Bombers shot 44.4 percent from the floor, converting on 24-of-54 attempts. Ithaca also shot 10-of-21 from three-point range, converting 47.6 percent from beyond-the-arc.
 
Freshman Marc Chasin led the Bombers with 29 points in his first collegiate game, adding four rebounds, two assists and a steal in his debut. Chasin was a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond-the-arc, falling one basket shy of the school record for three point percentage. Andrei Oztemel holds the record, going 7-for-7 from three-point range in an 81-59 win over Nazareth on Feb. 3, 2012.
 
Sophomore Joe Masino paced Ithaca with seven rebounds, all on the defensive end. Masino also chipped in with 14 points and a team-high five assists. Senior Keefe Gitto rounded out the top scorers with 12 points to go along with four rebounds and one block.
 
Back-and-forth basketball opened the contest, as neither team was able to build a substantial advantage. The lead changed five times in the first 20 minutes, including two ties. Skidmore held a slight edge in the opening half, going to the break with the score at 37-33 in the Thoroughbreds' favor.
 
The Bombers opened the second half on a 10-2 run, jumping out to a 43-39 lead on a three ball from Masino. Skidmore answered back with a run of its own, jumping out to a 51-44 lead with 14:18 to play.
 
The Thoroughbreds' lead got as high as 12 in the second half, but the Bombers battled back to make it a three-point game (69-66) with just under two minutes to play. Skidmore would regain its six-point lead, but another three pointer from Chasin in the closing minute brought the Bombers back to within three, 74-71.
 
Despite the late rally, Ithaca was unable to get any closer, giving Skidmore the 82-74 victory.
 
The Bombers' next game marks their first home contest of the season, as Ithaca will play Hobart on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at Ben Light Gymnasium. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

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