Box Score ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's basketball team defeated Utica Friday evening, completing the regular season series sweep of the Pioneers with a 98-85 victory at Ben Light Gymnasium. The win pushes the Bombers' overall record to 9-9, including a mark of 6-3 in the Empire 8. Utica falls to 8-12 overall and 4-7 in conference play.

The Bombers shot 46.6 percent from the floor, connecting on 34-of-73 total shots. Ithaca was 15-of-34 from beyond the arc, hitting 44.1 percent from three-point range. The Bombers' 15 three pointers tied a season high.

Freshman Marc Chasin led the Bombers with a career high 31 points in the victory. Chasin also recorded eight rebounds and five assists. Keefe Gitto ranked second on the Bombers with 21 points, pairing with a team high 11 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season. Freshman Carroll Rich chipped in with 15 points in the start, while junior Sam Bevan contributed nine points, five assists and four steals. Senior Max Masucci recorded a career high 10 rebounds.

With the score tied 3-3 just 1:25 into the game, the Pioneers went on a brief run to take the early lead. Utica outscored the Bombers 13-5 over the next five minutes, giving the Pioneers a 16-8 lead with 13:38 to play in the opening frame. Ithaca responded with 11-straight points to go up 19-16, putting the Bombers ahead for the first time in the half.  

The game then featured three ties, including a score of 27-27 with just under six minutes to play in the first. Ithaca took over the remainder of the half, closing the frame on an 18-6 run. The Bombers' run featured four three pointers and a GItto dunk, giving Ithaca the 45-33 edge at the break.

The Bombers continued to roll in the second half, pushing their lead over Utica to as high as 20 points on two separate occasions. Ithaca outscored the Pioneers 53-52 in the final frame, securing the Bombers' 98-85 conference victory.  

The Bombers are right back in action on Saturday, Jan. 31with another home E8 matchup against Nazareth. The contest is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.  

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