Rochester, N.Y.--Ithaca won the Chuck Resler Tournament Saturday night, defeating host Rochester 80-71. The Bombers (4-0) beat the Yellowjackets (1-1) for the first time since 1975, and captured their first tourament title since they won the Eastern Connecticut tournament in the 2001-02 season. Ithaca's 4-0 start matches their best opening since the 1986-87 season. Ithaca hasn't started a season 5-0 since 1960-61.
The Bombers, who led by as many as 11 points, held off a Yellowjacket comeback in the second half. With the lead cut to 66-64 with just over six minutes to play, Ithaca sophomore Chris Cruz (West Genesee/Camillus) hit a pair of three-point baskets to extend the Ithaca lead to eight points. The Bombers' shooting guard scored 21 points in the win, and is averaging 16.3 points through four games this season.
Ithaca would never lead by fewer than five points for the remainder of the contest. Forced to foul, Rochester sent senior point guard Sean Burton (Notre Dame/Yorkville) to the line three times, where he made five of six free throws. Burton, who made eight of nine foul shots Saturday night, led all players with 22 points scored. He also added six assists, three steals and three rebounds in a game-high 38 minutes.
The Bombers took the lead for good with just under three minutes to play in the first half. A three-pointer from senior swingman Brendan Rogers (Liverpool/Liverpool) broke a 34-34 tie with 2:55 left. Rogers hit another three-point shot in the closing minute, and senior center Jeff Bostic (Geneva/Geneva) added five points on two jumpers and a free throw to give the Bombers a 45-39 lead entering the half. Bostic and Rogers scored 13 and 11 points, respectively.
As a team, Ithaca made 11 three-point field goals, led by Cruz's four. They shot .438 from the floor, including .515 in the first half. Through four games, four Bombers are averaging double figures in scoring, led by Burton's 19.8 points per game.
The Bombers return to action Saturday at Allegheny's National City Tournament. Ithaca opens play at 6 p.m. against Baldwin-Wallace.
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