Box Score

ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Ithaca College men's basketball team wrapped up its home season with an exciting comeback win in the final minute and defeated Utica 86-84 on Saturday afternoon at Ben Light Gymnasium. Ithaca scored the game-winning basket with four seconds left and blocked Utica's game-tying attempt at the buzzer to get the victory.

Ithaca improved to 7-17 on the season and is 2-11 in the Empire 8. It was the first home conference win for the Bombers. Utica is 7-16 overall and 1-12 in the conference. The Bombers honored three seniors prior to the start of the game - Chris Jordan, Frank Mitchell and Tom Sweeney. Mitchell and Sweeney were the two primary contributors in the closing seconds of the win.

With the game tied and under a minute remaining, Ithaca got a stop at the defensive end by forcing a contested shot late in the shot clock to set up the final possession. The Bombers scored the game-winning basket after a series of passes led to a basket in the paint from Mitchell on an assist from Joe Masino. Utica inbounded the ball with 4.2 seconds remaining and drove the length of the court but the layup attempt was blocked off of the backboard by Tom Sweeney to clinch the victory.

Mitchell scored 20 points and added 10 rebounds. Masucci also finished with 20 points, the second time in three games that he's scored 20. Masucci has scored in double-figures in three straight games. Guard Sam Bevan had 12 assists for the Bombers as Ithaca assisted on 26 of 33 field goals. The Bombers turned the ball over just seven times, and were 9-for-12 from the free-throw line.

In the first half, Utica took a 26-21 lead with nine minutes remaining, but the Bombers responded with a 16-5 run to build a six-point advantage at 37-31. Ithaca led 47-46 at halftime.

Ithaca's largest lead in the second half was nine points on three separate occasions. Utica rallied and took a four-point advantage down the stretch to set up the Bomber comeback.

The Bombers trailed by four at 82-78 with 2:15 remaining and took possession after a defensive rebound from Frank Mitchell. He then converted a layup at the other end to bring Ithaca within one with 1:59 left on the clock. After Utica made two free throws, the Bombers rallied to tie the game. Tom Sweeney made a free throw for Ithaca, and after a Utica turnover, Max Masucci hit a 3-pointer to tie it up 84-84 with 56 seconds left.

Ithaca wraps up its season Saturday, Feb. 22 at Alfred at 2 p.m.