Elmira, N.Y. – The #17 Ithaca men's basketball team (9-0, 1-0 Empire 8) opened conference play with a 112-72 win at Elmira (2-6, 0-1 Empire 8) Friday. Senior point guard #Sean Burton# (Notre Dame/Yorkville) scored 22 points to lead the Bombers, who extended the program's best start ever.

Burton was one of four Bombers to score in double figures; sophomore guard #Chris Cruz# (West Genesee/Camillus) netted 15 (including a three-for-three performance from three-point range), senior swingman #Sean Leahy# (West Genesee/Syracuse) added 13 and senior center Jeff Bostic (Geneva/Rochester) finished with 11.

Sophomore forward Phil Barrera (Belmont/Belmont, Mass.) pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds and scored nine points, setting career highs in both categories.

A total of 14 Bombers scored a point as Ithaca posted its fourth 95-point performance of the season.

The Bombers continue Empire 8 play Saturday with a 2 p.m. game at Alfred.

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