The Ithaca College women's basketball team defeated the Union College Dutchwoman in a nailbiter, 54-53, Saturday afternoon in Schenectady, N.Y in the backend of Liberty League back-to-back. With the win the Bombers improved to 15-3 overall and 9-2 within conference play.
 
Ithaca jumped out to a quick 11-3 lead, just four minutes into the game. The early Bombers charge was led by Hannah Polce and Anya Watkins, who combined for nine of Ithaca's 11 points to start the game. The Garnet Chargers would respond with a 5-0 run of their own, before the Bombers' offense picked up the pace again to close out the first quarter with a 20-12 lead. Polce led the scoring effort with 10 points in the opening quarter.
 
The second quarter featured some fight from Union, as in the opening minutes of the quarter, they would go on an 8-2 run to cut their deficit to two. Ithaca would answer with a 7-2 run of their own to balloon their lead to 29-23 with 3:38 remaining in the first half. The end of the quarter would only see two more made field goals between the two teams and saw the Bombers enter halftime with a 31-26 lead. Camryn Coffey led the way for the Bombers, scoring five of their 11 points in the quarter.
 
The third quarter saw similar results from the first half, as the Bombers and Garnet Chargers continued to go back and forth. In the first two minutes of the quarter, the Bombers would extend their lead to 37-29. As IC looked to separate themselves further, Union would go on an 8-2 run to shorten the deficit to three with a score of 37-34. The two squads would trade baskets for the rest of the quarter, as Ithaca would enter the final period with a 45-41 lead. Polce and Coffey would continue to provide a scoring punch in the third quarter, as they combined for eight of the Bombers' 14 points.
 
In a low scoring fourth quarter, the Bombers were able to come up clutch to secure the victory over Union. At the 8:23 mark in the final quarter, the Bombers were able to gain a seven point advantage over the home team. Union would go on a 12-2 run to take their first lead of the game at 53-50, with just 2:32 left in the game. However, a Zoraida Icabalceta two-point jumper and two huge free throws from June Dickson would return the advantage to the Bombers, as they led 54-53 heading into the final possession of the game. The Garnet Chargers would have one last chance to complete the full comeback, but were unable to cash in as Ithaca came away with the victory. 
 
The Bombers held Union to 33.9% shooting from the field, and capitalized on their defensive play with nine points off turnovers. Hannah Polce led the winning effort with 14 points and five rebounds, while Camryn Coffey added 11 points with two steals. 
 
The Bombers next game will be a Liberty League tilt on Friday, February 2 against Skidmore College at 5:30 p.m. in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.