![<dfn><a href=]()
Jeff Bostic was named the tournament MVP" src="/images/mbasket/2006/3/4/Bostic%20MVP.jpg" width=160 align=left border=0>Oswego, N.Y. – Freshman
Jeff Bostic (Geneva/Geneva) scored on a layup in the closing seconds to help lift the seventh-seeded Bombers over top-seeded Oswego 61-60 in the ECAC Upstate New York Championship.
Bostic scored 16 points and pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds and was named the tournament MVP.
After Oswego took the lead with 26 seconds remaining, senior
Jim Bellis (Bloomfield/Bloomfield Central) attempted a layup but could not convert.
Bostic grabbed the rebound and laid it back in with only 7.2 seconds remaining in the contest.
Bostic, the tournament MVP, averaged 14 points and nine rebounds during Ithaca’s three contests.
Bellis led Ithaca with 17 points and added four rebounds. He finishes his Bomber career ranked sixth on the program’s all-time scoring list with 1,264 career points, fifth with 144 career three-point field goals made and sixth with 144 career steals. His season totals of 524 points and 58 three-pointers rank fourth on the school’s single-season list while his 52 steals rank ninth.
![Assistant Coach Matt Bozzone and senior captains <dfn><a href=]()
Jonathan Whetstone,
Brian Andruskiewicz and
Jim Bellis accept the ECAC championship plaque" src="/images/mbasket/2006/3/6/MBB%20Captains.jpg" width=250 align=right border=0>Freshman
Sean Burton (Notre Dame/Yorkville) scored 10 points while senior
Jonathan Whetstone (Palo Alto/Palo Alto, Calif.) recorded eight points, five rebounds and four assists.
Whetstone finishes his career fourth all-time on Ithaca’s assist list with 374. His 160 season assists tie him for the fourth-best mark in the program’s history.
The Bombers (16-13) started the game strong, opening with a 14-5 run. Oswego (22-8) hit just 19 percent of their shots in the first half as Ithaca entered halftime with a 30-19 lead. The Lakers would open the second half on a 24-11 run to gain their first advantage of the afternoon 43-41. The teams traded leads until Bostic sealed the championship for the Bombers with seven seconds remaining. Ithaca won its three games in the tournament by a combined six points.
The championship was the second for the Bombers, who were making their 12th appearance in the ECAC Playoffs. Ithaca defeated Union 77-76 in 2000 to capture its first ECAC crown.
Box Score
