NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Ithaca College women's basketball team suffered their first loss of the 2016-17 season at Connecticut College on Friday evening, 66-58, in New London, Conn. With the setback, Ithaca is now 4-1 on the season, while Connecticut improves to 5-1.

Ithaca started the game on a 12-1 run over the opening seven minutes of the game on six points from senior Ali Ricchiuti, a 3-pointer from sophomore Sara Jackson, a put-back from senior Shayna Gaskins and a free throw by junior Jordan Beers. Connecticut College got back to within seven points at 14-7 by the end of the quarter, as the Bombers could only find the bottom of the net once over the final 2:59.

The Camels battled back to take a 17-16 lead early on in the second quarter with a 15-0 run from 2:04 in the first period to 7:27 in the second. Ricchiuti ended the run with a made free throw and then the Bombers regained the lead, 18-17, on a layup from senior Erin Ferguson, but Connecticut answered with a three to go back in front on its next trip down the floor and 6:19 left in the half.

Nearly three minutes burned off the clock before either team could get back on the board. The Camels took a three-point edge, 21-18, with 3:46 to go, but a layup-and-one from junior Julie Yacovoni and a pair of free throws by sophomore Meghan Mazzella put the Bombers back on top, 23-21, just 20 seconds later.

Ithaca would connect on three more free throws by the 1:57 mark to build a five-point advantage, 26-21, and closed out the half with a 29-25 cushion after a layup from Mazzella on the Bombers' final possession.

It was all Connecticut in the second half, as the Camels outscored Ithaca, 41-29, and turned a four-point halftime deficit into an eight-point victory. The Camels took the lead just 1:04 into the third quarter and never allowed the Bombers to get back in the game after that.

Ricchiuti led Ithaca with 14 points on 4-of-10 shooting, while Ferguson tallied 11 points and nine rebounds. Yacovoni filled the stat sheet with six points, six boards, four assists and three steals.

Mazzella added eight points with four rebounds, and Gaskins chipped in seven points, six rebounds and five assists.

Ithaca shot just 31.3-percent from the floor (20-for-64) in the game, while the Camels were 22-for-57 (38.6%).

The Bombers will look to get back on track Saturday afternoon as they take on Vassar College at 3 p.m. in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.