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BRUNSWICK, Maine – The Ithaca College women's basketball team is set to take on DeSales University on Friday night at 5 p.m. in the Sweet 16 at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.
 
Ithaca advanced to the Sweet 16 with two wins in last weekend's regional on South Hill. The Bombers defeated SUNY Poly in the first round, 68-58, and came back Saturday evening to top No. 10/14 St. Joseph's (Maine), 74-63.
 
This is the fourth time in program history that Ithaca has reached the Sweet 16 and the first time since 2014 when IC ultimately fell in the Elite 8.
 
Sophomore Grace Cannon tied her career high of 21 points and junior Cassidy O'Malley notched 12 points and eight rebounds in the Bombers' win over SUNY Poly.
 
In the second round win over St. Joseph's (Maine), senior Annie Giannone tied her career high of 22 points and just missed a double-double with nine assists as well as five rebounds. Giannone's 18 first-half points propelled IC to a 50-29 advantage at the half and the eventual win.
 
With a win on Friday, Ithaca would advance to the Elite 8 on Saturday, for just the second time in school history. The Bombers would face off with the winner of Bowdoin and New Paltz, who face off at 7 p.m. Friday.
 
Scouting No. 12/15 DeSales
 
DeSales is currently 27-2 on the season and rounded out the Mac Freedom slate with a perfect 14-0 record. The Bulldogs defeated Kings in the semifinals on the Mac Freedom Tournament and ultimately beat Misercordia for the title.
 
Last weekend DeSales defeated Shenandoah, 77-49, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before topping Middlebury College, 70-55 to advance to the Sweet 16.
 
Four different Bulldogs' players are averaging double-figures this season, led by Leandra Sterner who sits at 14.1 points per game. Samantha Shinkus and Morgan Birmelin are average nearly the same, at 13.2 and 13.1 points per game, respectively. Jordan Avery is averaging 11.9 points per game. Bridget Walsh leads DeSales with 8.4 rebounds per game and 79 blocks on the year.
 
Ithaca is 2-1 against DeSales all-time since first facing the Bulldogs during the 1992-93 season (then Allentown College). The Bombers last faced DeSales in 2010 in the NCAA Tournament, falling 62-53.
 
Scouting No. 1/3 Bowdoin
 
Bowdoin is currently 28-1 on the season, with the only loss in the NESCAC final to Tufts, 75-69. Last weekend, Bowdoin defeated Hunter, 93-73, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and followed it up with an 87-78 comeback win over Smith on Saturday.
 
The Polar Bears are led by senior Abby Kelly, who is currently averaging 14.8 points per game. Junior Maddie Hasson and senior Taylor Choate are also averaging in double figures with 14.2 and 13, respectively. Hasson also leads Bowdoin with 5.8 rebounds per game.
 
Ithaca and Bowdoin have faced off four times in history and the Polar Bears hold a 4-0 advantage over the Bombers. Most recently, IC lost to Bowdoin in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, 71-66, in 2015.
 
Scouting No. 24/25 New Paltz
 
SUNY New Paltz is currently 25-4 on the year and finished the SUNYAC conference slate with a 17-1 record.
 
The Hawks first defeated Brockport in the semifinals of the SUNYAC tournament, 70-67, before winning the title with a 63-57 overtime win over Geneseo in the finals.
 
New Paltz went on to beat Rutgers-Newark, 65-36, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and secured a bid to the Sweet 16 with an 80-49 victory over Emmanuel College in the second round.
 
Three players are currently averaging double figures, led by Rachel Simon with 18.2 points per game. Lindsay Bettke sits at 15.5 per game while Marion Dietz is averaging 10.8. Philesha Teape is the leading rebounder with 5.2 per game.
 
Ithaca is 3-2 all-time against New Paltz, having most recently played the Hawks twice during the 2016-17 season. The Bombers beat the Hawks during the regular-season matchup, but fell in the NCAA Tournament, 83-80.
 
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Games:
 
Sweet 16: Ithaca vs. No. 12/15 DeSales – 5 p.m.
                No. 1/3 Bowdoin vs. No. 24/25 New Paltz – 7 p.m.
 
Elite 8: Game 1 winner vs. game 2 winner – 7 p.m.