ITHACA, N.Y. – The women's basketball team (17-4, 13-0 Empire 8), ranked #32 nationally, held back visiting Utica (15-5, 8-3 Empire 8) for a 64-62 win Tuesday. With the win – their 13th in a row (one short of the school record), the Bombers clinch the Empire 8's regular-season title and will host the conference playoffs. The Empire 8 Championship Tournament, featuring the league's top four teams, will be held at Ithaca's Ben Light Gymnasium Friday and Saturday, Feb. 26 and 27.

The visiting Pioneers opened the second half with a 20-8 run to erase Ithaca's 10-point halftime lead and take a 46-44 lead nine minutes into the second period. The Bombers regained control with a 15-6 run over the next seven minutes, using free-throw shooting (making all eight of their attempts) and defense (holding Utica to two baskets) to open up a 59-52 lead. The Pioneers pulled to within two on a pair of free throws with 37 seconds left and had two shots at a tying basket in the final four seconds but missed both.

Senior guard Katherine Bixby (Germantown Friends/Philadelphia, Pa.) led Ithaca with 15 points and four assists. Sophomore guard Riley Dunn (Central Catholic/Bradford, Mass.) netted 10 points and six assists in just 17 minutes off the bench. Junior guard Jordan Confessore (South Brunswick/Kendall Park, N.J.) and junior forward Jane DeBiasse (Chatham/Chatham, N.J.) both scored nine points and junior forward Elissa Klie (Ramapo/Wyckoff, N.J.) added eight. Klie led Ithaca with nine rebounds and three steals.

The Bombers' win raised their all-time record against the Pioneers to 29-9.

Ithaca travels to Hartwick Friday for a 6 p.m. game

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