Box Score

ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College women's basketball team (8-3) tallied a 70-56 victory Tuesday evening over visiting Houghton (4-8) in Ben Light Gymnasium.

The Bombers claimed the first bucket of the contest at 17:41 to secure an indefinite lead. Ithaca jumped out to a 14-5 advantage, but an 8-1 run that followed pulled the Highlanders within one at 9:50. Ithaca answered with a 26-6 streak for a permanent double-digit lead. The Bombers led 45-26 at the half.

Houghton thrice crept within 12 in the second half, lastly with 57 ticks lingering in the game. An Ali Ricchiuti jumper finalized all scoring at 70-56. Fifteen of Ithaca's 25 second-half points were scored by student-athletes coming off the bench.

Senior Kathryn Campbell and junior Geena Brady posted 11 points each to lead the Bombers to victory. Junior Francesca Cotrupe posted 10 and seniors Mary Kate Tierney and Jenn Escobido added nine apiece. Tierney led Ithaca in rebounding, grabbing seven, while three others had five.

Junior Samantha Klie and Ricchiuti dished out five assists each, a season-high for Ricchiuti. Klie paced the game with a career-best five steals.

Ithaca shot 10 percent better than the Highlanders, hitting 45.8 percent from the floor. Houghton owned a 41-36 edge on the boards. The visiting squad turned the ball over 25 times to the Bombers' 15.

Houghton, an Empire 8 team, is an NCAA provisional member and is not eligible for postseason play. Games against the Highlanders will not impact conference records/standings.

The Bombers return to play Wednesday, Jan. 8 hosting 24th-ranked John Carroll at 4 p.m.