Box Score ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's basketball team dropped its first conference game Friday evening, as the Bombers fell to Elmira by a score of 75-60 at Ben Light Gymnasium. Ithaca is now 2-7 on the year, with a mark of 0-1 in Empire 8 play. Elmira is 3-5 overall and 1-0 in the conference.
 
Ithaca was 23-of-53 from the floor, shooting 43.4 percent on the night. The Bombers connected on six shots from beyond the arc in 24 attempts, and were 8-of-12 from the charity stripe. Ithaca once again dominated in the paint, recording 30 points to Elmira's 12.
 
Senior Keefe Gitto led all scorers with 20 points, marking the second time this season he has hit the 20-point plateau. Gitto also recorded nine rebounds and two assists. Junior Sam Bevan and freshman Marc Chasin tied for second on the roster with nine points, with each also contributing three assists. Sophomore Carlin Champion led the reserves with seven points and two steals in 25 minutes of action.
 
After a fairly even five minutes of play to start the contest, Elmira started to pull ahead around the midway point of the opening frame. With 7:41 to go in the first, the Soaring Eagles jumped out to a double-digit advantage, leading the Bombers by a score of 29-19. Although the Bombers were able to chip away at the Soaring Eagle lead on several occasions, Elmira still rolled into halftime with an 11-point advantage, 42-31.
 
The Soaring Eagles added to their lead in the second frame, going up by as many as 22 points with 12 minutes remaining in the contest. From that point forward the Bombers went on their best run of the game, outscoring Elmira by a 20-7 margin over the next nine minutes. The run was highlighted by two authoritative dunks from Gitto, which pulled the Bombers to back within nine points (66-57) of Elmira.
 
However, that was as close as Ithaca would get. Elmira added to its lead once again in the closing minutes, pulling away with the 75-60 conference victory.
 
The Bombers are right back in action on Saturday, Jan. 3, as they take on the Utica Pioneers in a road contest. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. 

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