Box Score

ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's basketball team (3-3) dropped a 64-58 decision to visiting Oswego (6-1) Saturday afternoon at Ben Light Gymnasium.

The Bombers dug themselves out of an 18-point deficit over the final 12 minutes of action, twice pulling within two at 1:42 and the 15-second mark. Oswego sunk four from the charity stripe in the final 12 seconds of play to seal the victory.

Junior Frank Mitchell paced the Bombers with a game-high 26 points, just two shy of his career-high. Senior Travis Warech chipped in 11 points and junior Tom Sweeney 10. Warech posted a Bomber-best seven boards and Mitchell grabbed six. Senior Sean Rossi, who ranks eighth all-time in NCAA Division III history with 786 assists, dished out nine.

The game got off to a slow start as a combined 14 points were scored over the first 10 minutes of action. Oswego owned a one- or two-possession advantage through much of the first half, with its largest lead at eight at 5:40. Four consecutive Sweeney buckets closed out the half for Ithaca with the Lakers holding a 27-21 gap at the break.

Oswego outscored Ithaca, 19-7, over the first eight minutes of the second stint, but the Bombers answered with 11 straight to cut within seven, 46-39, at 6:51. The Bombers chipped away at their deficit before a Warech trey made it a one-possession game, 55-52, at 3:21.

Warech and Mitchell hit back-to-back layups to cut within two at 1:42, forcing a Laker timeout. Oswego hit a jumper with 19 seconds lingering, but Rossi went to the line to swish two just four seconds later. The Bombers were forced to foul down the stretch, twice sending the Lakers to the line for the win.

Ithaca led the rebound count, 33-32. Oswego shot 44 percent from the floor, while Ithaca hit 36.8 percent of its shots.

The Bombers return to action on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at St. Lawrence at 7 p.m.