CORTLAND, N.Y. – The Ithaca College women's basketball team improved to 4-0 on the season with a 71-51 victory at SUNY Cortland on Tuesday evening in Corey Gymnasium. Ithaca, which trailed 36-29 at halftime, outscored Cortland, 42-15, over the final 20 minutes to secure the road win.

Ithaca jumped out to a 5-0 lead over the opening 37 seconds on a layup from senior Erin Ferguson and a 3-pointer by classmate Ali Ricchiuti. The Bombers would hang onto their advantage until the final minute of the first quarter, as Cortland put in a layup to go ahead, 18-17, and ended the period with a 20-17 edge.

The Bombers shot 38.9-percent in the quarter, while Cortland converted on 60-percent of its attempts (9-for-15). Ricchiuti scored six points in the quarter, while Ferguson had four.

In the second quarter, Cortland held its lead until junior Erin Woop connected on a 3-pointer with 6:00 on the clock to tie the game at 24-24. After the deadlock, the Red Dragons scored five straight points over a 2:26 stretch, but the Bombers got back to within two at 31-29 on a three from sophomore Meghan Mazzella with 1:33 to go. The Red Dragons would score the final five points of the half to take a 36-29 edge to the break.

As the third quarter got underway, Cortland increased its lead to nine points, 38-29, just 20 seconds in. Ithaca answered with a 12-0 over the next 2:24 (9:12 to 6:48) to regain the advantage at 42-38. During the run, junior Jordan Beers scored eight points, while Ferguson tallied the other four.

After a 3-pointer by the Red Dragons ended the run with 6:04 left on the clock, Ithaca went on another 12-0 run until there was 28 second to go in the quarter. Cortland ended the third period with a three to send the game to the fourth with Ithaca leading, 53-44. Ithaca outscored Cortland, 24-8, in the period.

It was all Bombers in the fourth quarter as well, as they cruised to the 20-point victory, 71-51, by outscoring the Red Dragons, 18-7.

Ferguson finished with a career-high 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting and just missed a double-double with nine rebounds. Beers and Ricchiuti each finished with 12 points, while senior Shayna Gaskins added six points and six rebounds.

Junior Julie Yacovoni chipped in five points and eight boards, and Woop contributed four points, four rebounds and four assists. Sophomore Allie Tunick netted five points with three assists.

Ithaca shot 42.6-percent (29-for-68) by the end of the game and forced Cortland to commit 27 turnovers, which led to 29 points. The Bombers also dominated the offensive glass with 14 rebounds, and turned that into 18 second-chance points.

The Bombers are back in action on Friday, December 2 at Connecticut College for a 7 p.m. tip-off.