HARTFORD, Conn. – The Ithaca College women's basketball team faced off against a tough Trinity College on Friday afternoon in a competitive non-conference matchup. Despite both teams holding double-digit leads at different points, Trinity rallied in the fourth quarter to secure a 69-64 win. The loss drops Ithaca to 3-6 overall, while the Bantams improved to 10-2.
 
Both teams played strong defense at the start, with Ithaca holding Trinity scoreless for the first four minutes. Offensively, Emma Waite scored seven early points, including a 3-pointer, giving Ithaca a 9-0 lead. Ithaca extended its advantage to 18-5 after Annabella Yorio hit back-to-back 3-pointers. After a Bantams timeout, they mounted a comeback and brought the score to 20-17 with 2:13 remaining in the quarter and Lucy Dorion tied it up shortly after. Yorio put up 10 of the teams 20 points within the quarter for the Bombers.
 
The second quarter began with the teams tied at 20 points each. Olivia Vick hit a 3-pointer on Trinity's first possession and added another to extend their lead to 26-22. Tori Drevna responded for Ithaca with a 3-pointer assisted by Zoraida Icabalceta. Ithaca regained the lead with just over five minutes remaining in the half when Elizabeth Majka converted an and-one opportunity and Waite hit another 3-pointer, making it 33-31. Despite a tough stretch, Ithaca led 40-36 at halftime. The teams combined to shoot 13-of-25 from 3-point range in the first half, with Ithaca hitting 6-of-12.
 
Ithaca built an eight-point lead in the third quarter with baskets from Anya Watkins and Icabalceta, going up 49-41. They continued to dominate in the paint and on the boards, with Yorio converting an and-one to make it 52-41. Trinity cut into the lead at the free throw line, and Vick scored a fast-break bucket to reduce the deficit to 55-51.
 
Vick opened the fourth quarter with her fourth 3-pointer of the game. Ithaca struggled offensively, with Waite scoring their first field goal of the quarter over five minutes in. With under a minute remaining and trailing 67-60, Icabalceta banked in a 3-pointer, and Watkins went 1-of-2 at the free throw line. Vick made it 68-64 with under 30 seconds left, and Trinity forced an Ithaca turnover to secure the win.
 
There were five lead changes in the game. Waite led Ithaca with a season-high 18 points. Yorio (13 points) and Majka (11 points) also scored in double figures, with Yorio recording a double-double. Ithaca outrebounded Trinity 40-35.
 
Ithaca will return to Liberty League play on Friday, January 10, at Union College. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.