Box Score POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The No. 10 Ithaca College women's basketball team dropped its final game of the regular season to Vassar College, 75–71, in a thrilling, back-and-forth game. The 13–4 Brewers overcame a late fourth-quarter lead to hand the Bombers its only Liberty League loss of the season.
Lindsey Albertelli got the scoring started on the Bombers' first possession with a jump shot.
Emily Dorn then sank a jumper a few possessions later for an early 4–0 lead in the first two minutes. The Brewers brought the game within one, but
Camryn Coffey answered with a three-pointer to put the Bombers up 9–5.
The Bombers hit a drought for several minutes, allowing the Brewers to even the score at 9–9. Anabella Yorio got the Bombers back on track with four straight points to regain the lead. Again, the Brewers tied the game at 13–13, but a
Cara Volpe bucket gave the Bombers the lead after one quarter.
The second quarter began the way it ended with a basket by Volpe for a 17–13 lead. The Brewers answered and began to heat up, scoring on its first three possessions, including a three by Julia Harvey to tie the game at 18–18. Dorn quickly responded with a jump shot, but Harvey hit another three to give the Brewers the lead with 7:23 remaining.
Both teams went back and forth, with six lead changes and seven ties in the quarter. The Bombers hit a 4–0 run before the Brewers went on a 6–0 to regain the lead at 29–26. The physicality picked up late in the quarter, with both teams getting to the line and converting free throws. Down 31–30, Yorio took the lead back with a tough basket and Dorn got herself into double-figures with free throws and a layup. The Brewers rallied in the final minutes, however, tying the score at 37–37 heading into halftime.
The third quarter continued its back-and-forth trend, with both teams exchanging scores to even it at 44–44 with 5:51 remaining. The Bombers found a big 8–0 scoring run, ignited after a steel by
Hannah Polce gave Dorn two quick baskets. The Brewers responded with five straight points, but a basket by Albertelli and a three by Polce gave the Bombers a 57–53 lead heading into the final quarter.
Albertelli gave the Bombers a seven-point lead early in the fourth, converting an and-one. The Brewers came storming back with a 13–4 run to take a 66–64 lead with 4:04 remaining.
Natalie Smith quickly tied the game, but Harvey hit her fourth three to stretch Vassar's lead to three. With 1:23 remaining, Polce sank a free throw to tie the score at 71–71.
The Brewers got to the foul line and converted both free throws with 22 seconds remaining to take a 73–71 lead. The Bombers had several looks at the basket but could not get anything to fall. The Brewers sank two more free throws before time ran out to take the 75–71 victory.
Dorn and Albertelli paced the way for the Bombers with 19 and 17 points. Dorn added nine rebounds and Albertelli added eight. Volpe had a strong day, earning 10 points, six rebounds and six assists. Yorio also added 10 points and was big on the glass with seven rebounds.
The Bombers finish the season with a 23-4 overall record and an incredible 17–1 record in the Liberty League. The Bombers are set to receive a first round bye as the one seed and will host a Liberty League semifinal game in Ben Light Gymnasium on Friday, February 24.
