ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College women's basketball defeated Utica College, 71-44, on Friday night in Ben Light Gymnasium to improve to 14-10 overall and 10-5 in the Empire 8 Conference. Ithaca has now won three straight games heading into tomorrow's regular season finale against Hartwick College at 4 p.m.

With tonight's win and a loss by Hartwick, the Bombers clinched the final spot in next weekend's Empire 8 Tournament.  Ithaca has played in the conference championship each of the past 12 seasons and owns an overall record of 16-6 in the tournament during that time.

Ithaca jumped out to an 8-2 lead midway through the first quarter and went on to a 17-10 advantage by the end of the period.  Freshman Allie Tunick netted five points in the stanza, while junior Ali Ricchiuti and sophomore Julie Yacovoni each chipped in four a piece.

In the second quarter, the Bombers opened up a 24-point lead with 1:12 left before halftime, 36-12. Utica's first points came on free throws with 4:56 left and its first basket was scored with 41 seconds remaining in the period.

Ithaca held the Pioneers to 1-of-15 shooting in the quarter, while they went 9-for-13 overall.

The Bombers added six more points to their lead after the third quarter, 54-26. Ithaca led by as many as 30 in the quarter before Utica scored the final two points of the period on free throws. Utica trimmed the deficit down to 20 with 4:02 remaining in the game, 62-42, but Ithaca ended the contest on a 9-2 run.

Tunick paced Ithaca's offense with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting and 3-of-5 from three-point range. Yacovoni was close behind with 12 points, six rebounds and four blocks. Sophomore Jordan Beers chipped in 11 points with five boards in the win.

Junior Shayna Gaskins pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds with five points, while freshman Annie Giannone dished out eight assists. Ricchiuti tallied nine points and junior Erin Ferguson added seven rebounds and five points. Senior Keri Steeled snatched seven boards.

Ithaca shot 45.5-percent from the field (30-for-66) and grabbed 68 rebounds (16 offensive). The Bombers also assisted on 23 baskets. Utica was held to 18.1-percent shooting (13-for-72) on the evening.

After tomorrow's game, Ithaca will find out what seed it will be in the Empire 8 Tournament and where the championship will be held.