Box Score

ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College women's basketball team (19-4, 11-1 Empire 8) outlasted visiting Elmira (15-7, 6-5 Empire 8) to claim a 63-57 victory over the Soaring Eagles Friday night at Ben Light Gymnasium.

The Bombers scored the first bucket of the game and led the rest of the way. They powered ahead by double digits at 12:26 of the first and improved their gap to 20, before an Elmira jumper at the buzzer cut the halftime advantage to 43-25.

The Soaring Eagles held Ithaca to just 20 second-half points. Elmira crept within 11 at 11:43 with a 12-5 run. The Soaring Eagles erased their double-digit deficit, pulling within nine at the eight-minute mark and again a minute later. A Jenn Escobido jumper and a Kathryn Campbell three helped the Bombers back to a 14-point spread at 4:34.

Elmira pieced together a 13-3 streak in the waning minutes for a four-point game with 16 ticks lingering in the game, 61-57. Campbell drained two from the charity stripe to help the Bombers to their 13th straight win over the local opponent. The victory was Ithaca's 11th straight.

Campbell had a team-best 17 points, while Escobido tallied her 15th career double-double with a 13-point, 10-rebound performance. Senior Mary Kate Tierney had game-best numbers of 14 boards, seven assists and four steals to go with her nine points. Junior Geena Brady chipped in 12 points and Campbell added a trio of steals.

Ithaca outrebounded Elmira, 40-29. The Soaring Eagles shot 45.3 percent from the floor to the Bombers' 41.5 percent. Ithaca hit 57.7 percent in the first frame before closing the game with a cold 25.9-percent second-half performance.

The Bombers return to Ben Light for their final regular-season home contest Saturday, Feb. 15 at 4 p.m. Ithaca will host Utica for senior day.