ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Ithaca College women's basketball team (16-4, 8-1 Empire 8) rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit to take a late lead before the visiting Hartwick Hawks (16-3, 8-1 Empire 8) came back for a 56-53 win. The two teams are now tied atop the Empire 8 standings. Ithaca returns to action Friday, playing a 6 p.m. game at Nazareth.

Sophomore forward Jenn Escobido (Norwich Free Academy/Lisbon, Conn.) led Ithaca with 16 points and 15 rebounds (one short of her career high), recording her seventh career double-double. Her three-point basket with 3:11 to go gave the Bombers their only lead (47-46) and capped a 16-4 Ithaca run.

After the Hawks retook the lead on their next possession, a technical foul on Ithaca's next trip down the floor led to two Hartwick free throws and an ensuing basket. Two more free throws put Hartwick up by seven with just 1:12 to go. Freshman forward Samantha Klie (Ramapo/Wyckoff, N.J.) converted a lay-up and the Bombers forced a turnover on the Hawks' inbound play. Junior forward Devin Shea (St. Basil Academy/Huntingdon Valley, Pa.) made a lay-up and was fouled. she missed the free throw but Escobido rebounded the miss and scored to cut the lead to one. Ithaca forced a Hartwick turnover with seven seconds left but turned the ball over setting up an attempt at the winning basket. Hartwick converted two free throws with a second left and Ithaca's desperation three-point attempt missed the mark.

Shea finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and three steals.Klie added six points and a pair of steals off the bench.


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