Box Score GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Ithaca College women's basketball team won the 2014 Messiah Tip-Off Classic on Saturday afternoon with a hard-fought 53-50 victory over host Messiah College. Ithaca is now 3-0 this season after its first single-digit win this year.

The Bombers trailed, 27-23, at the half, but responded with a 30-23 second half difference to come away with the triumph. Ithaca trailed for a majority of the game and never led in the second half until sophomore Ali Ricchiuti put in a layup with 39 seconds left in regulation. From there, fellow senior Samantha Klie hit a pair of free throws with five seconds to go, and a final three-point attempt from Messiah did not fall for the Falcons.

The last time Ithaca was in the lead before the 51-50 edge happened at the 8:45 mark in the first half on a basket from freshman Erin Woop which made the score 16-15. Messiah led by as many as 11 points just two minutes into the second half.

Ithaca went 19-for-44 (43.2-percent) in the game, compared to 19-for-51 (37.3-percent) from Messiah. The Bombers drilled two more three-pointers (three to one) and hit one more free throw (12 to 11). Messiah did, however, hold a 35 to 29 advantage in rebounds.

Ricchiuti poured in a game-high 15 points on 5-for-10 shooting with four rebounds and two steals. Woop contributed 10 points in 16 minutes play and made 4-of-5 shot attempts.

Junior Keri Steele chipped in seven points, while senior Ally Mnich tallied six points. Klie finished the contest with four points, four assists and four steals. Senior Geena Brady also added four points for the Bombers.

Senior Francesca Cotrupe pulled down a team-best seven rebounds to go along with two points and two blocks. Sophomore Erin Ferguson contributed five rebounds and three points.

Ithaca heads to John Carroll on Nov. 30 for a 1 p.m. game in University Heights, Ohio for its next matchup.

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