Box Score
ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's basketball team (6-15, 1-9 E8) lost to Nazareth (14-6, 7-3 E8) Friday evening, falling to the Golden Flyers by a score of 76-64.
 
Senior Frank Mitchell paced the Bombers with 25 points, adding seven rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal. Junior Keefe Gitto recorded his first career double-double, netting 12 points to go along with 12 boards in 27 minutes of play. Sophomore Sam Bevan led Ithaca with six assists.
 
The Bombers shot 21-of-59 (35.6 percent) from the floor and converted 20-of-25 shots from the charity stripe (80 percent).
 
Nazareth came out strong in the opening half, jumping out to a 10-point lead in the first six minutes of play. Ithaca answered with a 7-0 run, cutting the Golden Flyers' lead to 16-13 with 11:47 left to play in the opening frame. 
 
Both teams traded baskets over the next two minutes, before Nazareth pulled away with a 15-2, jumping out to a 35-19 advantage. However, the Bombers would not quit, closing the first half on an impressive 13-3 run to put the score at 38-32 in favor of the Golden Eagles.
 
Ithaca's momentum carried over into the second frame, as the Bombers took a one-point lead on two occasions in the first three minutes of the half. Over the next nine minutes, the Golden Flyers and the Bombers tied five times. Ithaca took its final lead of the game with just under eight minutes remaining, taking a 55-54 edge thanks to  a layup from freshman Joe Masino.
 
After another tie game with 7:13 to play, Nazareth pulled ahead for the final time. While the Bombers were able to close the gap to a one-possession game several times down the stretch, Nazareth never relinquished the lead and went on to the 76-64 victory.
 
Ithaca is right back at Ben Light Gymnasium Saturday, Feb. 8 in a matinee game against Fisher. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.