ITHACA, N.Y. - The Ithaca College women's basketball team earned a big senior day win, defeating Skidmore College 52-49 in Ben Light Gymnasium. The top two teams in the Liberty League faced off on Saturday afternoon for a classic showdown with the game coming down to the final seconds. The Bombers overcame a fourth quarter deficit and forced shot clock violations on three big defensive stands in the final minutes.
Before tip-off, the Bombers celebrated seniors
Camryn Coffey,
Emily Dorn and
Natalie Smith. Together, the trio has combined for 65 wins and three Liberty League Championships.
The Bombers victory was highlighted by its great defense which forced 19 turnovers. The Bombers shot only 35.1% from the field but dominated the paint with 38 points compared to Skidmore's 18 points.
Lindsey Albertelli led all scorers with 21 points for the Bombers and added three blocks on the defensive end.
Ithaca took a quick 5-0 lead after Smith hit a deep three-pointer and Albertelli hit two free throws on the Bombers first two possessions. The Bombers found great looks at the basket from there, but couldn't get many to fall, keeping the score tight in the first quarter.
Taking a 12-8 lead into the second quarter, the Bombers started great offensively, scoring on its first two possessions from a great post move by Albertelli and a powerful drive by
Cara Volpe, but the Thoroughbreds answered with a basket and a three-pointer to cut the lead to 16-13. Albertelli continued a great run of play with baskets on the Bombers next two possessions to put the Bombers up 20-13 with 7:27 remaining.
IC struggled for the remainder of the half, only scoring three points after Albertelli's baskets. The Thoroughbreds climbed back, hitting two key three-pointers, including one in the final seconds of the half to tie the game at 23-23.
Coffey came out hot in the second half, scoring six points and getting a steal leading to two points at the other end, helping the Bombers take a 30-27 lead. Skidmore continued to stay close and took its first lead in the game with just over three minutes to play with the Thoroughbreds getting to the line to convert six free throws and take a 33-30 lead. Smith ended a five-minute scoring drought for the Bombers with a late free throw, but Skidmore took a 35-31 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Bombers attacked offensively early in the fourth as Volpe and Albertelli earned baskets at the rim to quickly tie the game at 35-35 with 8:32 left to play. Tied 39-39, Anabella Yorio gave the Bombers the lead with a tough finish at the basket and added a free throw on the next possession. Yorio continued her strong quarter with another basket a few minutes later to extend the Bombers lead to 46-43 with 3:05 left to play.
With two minutes left, the Bombers forced two shot clock violations and Albertelli converted an and-one opportunity to give the Bombers a late six-point lead. The Thoroughbreds quickly responded, converting an and-one opportunity on the other end to make the score 49-46 with 1:27 left. With a chance for Skidmore to tie the game, the Bombers forced another shot clock violation, getting the ball back with 38 seconds to play. The Thoroughbreds elected not to foul, and a big basket by
Hannah Polce with four seconds left iced the game.
With a win against the 12-1 Thoroughbreds, the Bombers move to 13-0 in the Liberty League with a two-game advantage over Skidmore. The Bombers return to action on Tuesday with a 5:30 p.m. tip-off against Rochester Institute of Technology.
