Box Score

ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's basketball team (2-2) scored double as many points as visiting Wells (3-3) in the second half to claim an 87-55 victory in its home opener at Ben Light Gymnasium.

Shooting 58.3 percent from the field in the second half, the Bombers built on a 31-27 halftime edge to even the series with Wells, 1-1. Ithaca fell to the local opponent, 73-72, in the inaugural game on Dec. 30, 2011.

Senior Andrei Oztemel led the Bombers with his fifth career double-double and four others added double-digit point performances on the evening. Oztemel tallied 18 points and 12 rebounds. Senior Travis Warech posted a career-high five blocks and chipped in 11 points. Junior Frank Mitchell put up 17 points and senior Eli Maravich and junior Tom Sweeney each added 12. Senior Sean Rossi dished out a game-high 10 assists. Rossi has 770 career assists which ties for the ninth most in NCAA Division III Men's Basketball history.

The Express opened strong, getting out to a 9-2 lead at 16:45, but Ithaca went on a 10-0 run to lead by three at 10:52. Wells regained possession at 8:24, 18-16, but nine consecutive Bomber points secured Ithaca's lead indefinitely. Ithaca held a 31-27 gap at intermission.

Ithaca collected a double-digit lead at 17:29, one that they never relinquished. A Brad Johanson three at 1:29 secured the Bombers' largest lead of the game, 85-51, before time expired in Ithaca's favor, 87-55.

Ithaca shot 48.5 percent from the floor throughout the contest, while the Express managed a season-low 27.4 percent. Ithaca outrebounded Wells, 52-43.

The Bombers host Elmira at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4 to open Empire 8 action.