Box Score

HOUGHTON, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's basketball team (14-6) secured a 74-65 victory at Houghton (0-21) Saturday afternoon. The game was an Empire 8 contest, though games against the Highlanders will not count as part of the Empire 8 standings during the 2012-13 season.

Ithaca held a five-point lead five minutes into play, but Houghton answered to take a seven-point advantage at 11:13. The Bombers used 13 unanswered and would never again trail. Following a 32-25 gap at the half, Ithaca powered to a 13-point lead at 17:16 of the second. The Highlanders chipped away at Ithaca's lead to knot action at 56-56. The Bombers outlasted Houghton down the stretch to claim the victory.

Three Bombers, senior Jordan Healey, junior Tom Sweeney and freshman Chris McIlvaine, tallied 11 points each on the day. Senior Sean Rossi, junior Frank Mitchell and freshman Brad Johanson each chipped in nine points apiece. Freshman Sam Bevan added eight. Healey and Mitchell each pulled down seven boards. Rossi had a season-high 10 assists.

Ithaca opened action with a 5-0 run and held a 9-4 lead at 15:24. Houghton responded with 12 straight for its largest lead of the game. The Bombers pieced together 13 straight to go ahead for good. Houghton pulled within one, 24-23, at 2:47, but Ithaca closed out the half with an 8-2 streak for a 32-25 halftime gap.

The Bombers took a 40-27 lead three minutes into the second stint, but Houghton surged to tie action for the second time of the game at 5:52. Johanson and Sweeney combined for six straight to secure a two-possession game. The Bombers went 8-for-8 from the charity stripe during the final 1:30 of action en route to victory.

Ithaca shot 53.8 percent from the floor, while the Highlanders converted on 37.9 percent of their shots. Houghton held a 36-35 edge in rebounds.

The Bombers return to the hardwood on Friday, Feb. 8 at Hartwick. The game will tip at 8 p.m.