GENEVA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College women's basketball team fell to 3-4 on the season with a 52-44 loss at William Smith on Friday evening in a non-conference contest. Ithaca shot just 28.3-percent in the game and was outrebounded, 53-36, as William Smith improved to 2-6 on the year.

After one quarter of play, Ithaca trailed William Smith, 14-12. Sophomore Jordan Beers hit a three-pointer on the opening possession of the game, and the Bombers held onto the lead until the Herons made a three with 4:07 remaining to go up, 9-8. The regained the advantage at 12-11 with 2:12 to go on a jumper by junior Ali Ricchiuti, but William Smith put in the final three points of the period.

Despite a 7-0 run midway through the second quarter, the Bombers still trailed William Smith, 29-28, heading into halftime. Beers accounted for five of Ithaca's seven points during the run. There were seven lead changes, including three over the final 1:22 of the period. 

Beers netted 13 of her game-high 16 points in the first half on 4-of-7 shooting, while Ferguson added six points and Ricchiuti had four points. Senior Keri Steele grabbed five rebounds in the first 20 minutes.

The Bombers shot 36.7-percent in the half (11-for-30), while William Smith shot 38.2-percent (13-for-34). Ithaca was outrebounded by 27-15 margin in the half.

Ricchiuti put Ithaca back ahead, 30-29, just 24 seconds into the third quarter, but William Smith would go on a 9-2 run over a 4:20 span to take a six-point advantage at 38-32 with 4:52 remaining. The Bombers halted William Smith's run at the 3:45 mark on a jumper from Steele which sparked a 5-0 run to end to period, and Ithaca trailed by just one at 38-37.

In the fourth quarter, Ithaca tallied a basket in the opening minute once again, but was then held scoreless for 5:36 of game time. William Smith would go up by a 45-39 difference until Ferguson found the bottom of the net at the 3:47 mark. A pair of free throws by the Herons re-established the six-point cushion, 47-41, with 2:10 to play. Beers nailed her third three of the game with 45 second left to cut the deficit to 47-44, but a layup from William Smith with 18 seconds to go put the game away.

Sophomore Erin Woop contributed eight rebounds, while sophomore Julie Yacovoni added five rebounds, four points and three assists.

The Bombers will close out the 2015 portion of their schedule tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. as they play host to nationally-ranked No. 21 Rochester in Ben Light Gymnasium. Ithaca will then be off until Jan. 3 for its Empire 8 Conference opener against Stevens at home.