Box Score

ONEONTA, N.Y. -- The Ithaca College (25-2) women's basketball team blew Hartwick (19-8) away in the second half of a 47-29 win over the Hawks in the championship game of the Empire 8 tournament Saturday afternoon at Hartwick's Lambros Arena. It is the second consecutive Empire 8 tournament title for the Bombers and fifth overall. By virtue of winning the conference title, Ithaca has earned automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championships. The tournament field will be announced Monday afternoon.

The Bombers held an 18-16 lead after a low-scoring first half, but stormed ahead with a 14-2 run to start the second half that included nine points from Jenn Escobido. Ithaca's lead grew to as many as 22 points in the second half before the game ended at an 18-point margin. Ithaca's defensive effort in the second half held Hartwick to just seven points over the first 16 minutes of play and the Bombers recorded four steals, a blocked shot and forced eight turnovers.

Escobido and Mary Kate Tierney led Ithaca in scoring as each totaled 13 points. Devin Shea had six points and two rebounds with a block and an assist. Tierney was the Bombers' leading rebounder with nine boards. The Bombers held a 39-30 rebounding advantage in the contest and held Hartwick to 25 percent shooting.

Devin Shea earned Most Valuable Player honors for the Empire 8 tournament, and was joined on the all-tournament team by Jenn Escobido. Other members of the all-tournament team were Camaryn Buckner of St. John Fisher, Dylan Krause of Stevens and Maria Foglia of Hartwick.

Ithaca set a school record for wins in a season with their 25th victory, the previous mark of 24 was established last season. The Bombers, who were the top seed for the conference tournament, played the game at Hartwick, the second-place team, due to construction of the Hill Center on the Ithaca College campus, which houses the team's home court Ben Light Gymnasium.