Box Score

HOBOKEN, N.J. – The Ithaca College men's basketball team (15-7, 9-3 Empire 8) dropped an 87-65 decision to 25th-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology (20-3, 10-2 Empire 8) on Saturday evening.

The Bombers, who have secured a spot in the Empire 8 Championship Tournament, were outmatched in second frame. After trailing 42-33 at the half, Ithaca got in a double-digit deficit with Stevens' first bucket of the second stint. Stevens used 13 unanswered to open the half and held Ithaca scoreless during the opening five minutes. The Ducks powered to their sixth straight victory, keeping Ithaca from pulling within striking distance throughout the latter 20.

Juniors Tom Sweeney and Frank Mitchell tallied 17 points apiece for the Bombers. Mitchell pulled down eight rebounds. Senior Sean Rossi led Ithaca with five assists.

Ithaca opened action with an early 13-9 advantage, but Stevens went on to take the lead indefinitely with an 18-4 run. The Bombers answered, pulling within two at 7:34, but the Ducks closed out the half with a 42-33 gap.

The Ducks powered to a 22-point lead just four minutes into the second and never looked back. Ithaca brought the game within 18 on several occasions, but did not find the spark to challenge the nationally-ranked Ducks.

Stevens outrebounded Ithaca, 36-26, and shot 53.2 percent from the floor to the Bombers' 45.1 percent.

The Bombers return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 12 hosting the Houghton Highlanders.