Hoboken, N.J. -- The women's basketball team, Empire 8 regular-season champions for the fifth time in the past eight years, wrapped up the regular season with a 51-46 loss at Stevens (19-6, 12-4 Empire 8). The top-seeded Bombers (19-6, 15-1 Empire 8) will host fourth-seeded Utica Friday at 6 p.m. in the semifinal round of the Empire 8 Championship Tournament.

Ithaca never led in the second half; the Bombers tied the score (for the only time in the game) with 6:04 left on a basket by freshman guard Elisabeth Wentlent (Greene/Greene), capping an 8-0 run that erased the host Ducks' biggest lead. The run featured a pair of three-point baskets by senior forward Jane DeBiasse (Chatham/Chatham, N.J.), who led Ithaca with 12 points -- one short of her season high.

The Bombers closed to within a point twice in the final minutes. DeBiasse connected on another three-pointer with 2:04 to go and sophomore center Devin Shea (St. Basil Academy/Huntingdon Valley, Pa.) scored a basket with 1:27 left that pulled Ithaca to within 47-46. The Bombers held Stevens without a basket the rest of the way but were whistled for three fouls in the final 26 seconds and the Ducks converted four of their six free throws.

Shea finished with eight points and a career-best four steals. Senior guard Jordan Confessore (South Brunswick/Kendall Park, N.J.) added nine points, two assists and two steals.


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