Box Score

ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College women's basketball team (24-4) won its 16th straight game to defeat The Sage Colleges (17-10), 67-30, Friday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ben Light Gymnasium. Ithaca rewrote a 21-21 deadlock at the half outscoring the Gators, 46-9, in the second to power to victory.

The Bombers advance to the regional final against Haverford to be played Saturday at 7 p.m. Haverford outlasted Rhode Island College, 53-48, in the day's first regional semifinal.

Following a halftime stalemate of 21-21, Ithaca inched ahead of the Gators early in the second half highlighted by back-to-back 3-pointers by seniors Kathryn Campbell and Mary Kate Tierney. Ithaca went on to post a 19-point advantage at 10:51 with a 15-0 run. The Bombers held Sage scoreless over the final 9:43 of the game, while scoring 23 consecutive en route to victory.

In its 11th NCAA showing, and third in as many years, Ithaca placed three in double figures. Tierney posted a game-best 12 points, while classmate Elisabeth Wentlent and Campbell added 11 and 10. Senior Jenn Escobido pulled down eight rebounds and Wentlent chipped in six. Campbell dished out a game-high six assists and junior Geena Brady made a trio of steals.

Sage junior Megan Bowman and rookie Frankie Pearson recorded 10 points each. Junior Amie Jefferson grabbed a contest-best 10 boards and classmate Lea McClain swiped three steals away from the Bombers.

The Bombers shot 39.0 percent from the floor to the Gators' 24.0 percent and held a 49-27 gap in rebounds.

Ithaca's 16 straight wins are the most since tallying 17 consecutive in 2009. Ithaca improved to 2-0 all-time against Sage. Saturday's contest will be the Bombers' first against Haverford.


Postgame Video - Coach Dan Raymond, Elisabeth Wentlent and Mary Kate Tierney



Postgame Video - Sage Coach Jackie Craft