Box Score ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's basketball team earned its fifth-straight victory Friday night, as the Bombers defeated the Alfred Saxons by a score of 92-79 in front of a full crowd at Ben Light Gymnasium. The win improves Ithaca's overall record to 8-8, including a record of 5-2 in the Empire 8. Alfred falls to 10-6 overall and 4-4 in conference play.
 
The Bombers' five-game winning streak marks Ithaca's longest since winning five-straight games from Feb. 16 – March 9 at the end of the 2012-13 season.
 
The Bombers shot 49.2 percent on the night, going 30-for-61 from the floor. Ithaca hit 10-of-26 shots from beyond the arc, including seven made three pointers in the first half. The Bombers hit 22-of-27 shots from the charity stripe.
 
Senior Keefe Gitto once again paced the Bombers in scoring, tying his career high with 25 points. Gitto also chipped in with nine rebounds, two blocks and a steal in 26 minutes of work. Freshman Marc Chasin netted 17 points in the start, while senior Max Masucci recorded 14 points and five assists.
 
Junior Sam Bevan led the Bombers with seven assists and three steals to go along with 13 points. Sophomore Joe Masino led Ithaca with 15 points in reserve, coming on 5-of-7 shooting from three-point range.
 
Alfred held a slight edge in the opening minutes, as the Saxons protected a small lead for the majority of opening play. Ithaca gained its first lead six minutes into the half, thanks to three pointers on three-straight Bomber possessions.  Three pointers from Masino, sophomore Carlin Champion and Chasin swung the momentum in Ithaca's favor, putting the Bombers up by a score of 15-14. The half featured 11 lead changes and three ties, with Ithaca taking a slight advantage into the break, 43-39.
 
The Bombers continued to roll in the second half, as they were able to secure the games' first double-digit lead seven minutes into the frame. A layup from Chasin on the fast break pushed the Bombers' advantage to 11, putting the score at 59-48 with 13:07 to go. Ithaca's lead grew to 15 points on multiple occasions down the stretch, including three times in the final minute of play. Alfred was unable to put a dent in the Bomber lead in the closing moments, giving Ithaca the 92-79 conference victory.
 
The Bombers' next game is another Empire 8 contest, as Ithaca will head to St. John Fisher on Saturday, Jan. 24. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.  

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