CLINTON, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's basketball team won its first game of the 2025-26 season on Saturday afternoon as the Bombers defeated Hamilton College, 75-71, on the road. The victory was also the first for head coach Mike McSloy.

The first half began with a Bomber lead as Evan Cabral opened the scoring for both teams with a layup off an assist from Jaylon O'Neal. Hamilton's first point came 15 seconds later with a made free throw from Sharif Nelson. Cabral was then able to capitalize on a missed basket from the Continentals and make a three of his own, giving the Bombers a 5-1 lead one minute into the game.

Matthew Zenker put in back-to-back shots one off an assist from Cole Wissink, granting the Bombers a 12-6 lead with 16:25 left to play in the first half. Wissink and Hamilton's Nate Raub exchanged back-to-back baskets with 14:22 remaining as Ithaca held a 17-11 lead.

After a few turnovers, Hamilton was able to take the lead for the first time of the night with 8:40 remaining the half at 26-26. With a successful 3-pointer from Nick Lemmond, the Bombers retook the lead 31-30 with 6:11 remaining. The Bombers were able to enter the locker room at halftime with a 4-point lead, 40-36.

The second half scoring opened with Alex Penders making a 3-pointer off an assist from Zenker, however, it was quickly answered with a jumper from Hamilton's Jalen Reese off an assist from Matthew Rideout.

 At the 17-minute mark, a strong defensive stand came from the Bombers with a steal from Jaylon O'Neal, later made a layup of his own to give IC a 47-40-point lead. With 15:33 remaining in the game, the Continentals tied it up 49-49 and the regained the lead as Jalen Reese completed a dunk. At 12:36 after Hamilton had held the lead for a few moments, Cabral sunk a free throw tying the game back up at 53.

A layup from Zenker and a jumper from Chris Leysath allowed the Bombers to regain the lead. Entering the final five minutes of the game, the Bombers led by one point, 65-64. Cabral, Penders and David Luberoff were all able to complete offensive opportunities, granting the Bombers a seven-point lead with 2:35 left.

Zenker put in two free-throws, solidifying the Bombers with a 75-71 win over Hamilton. 

Strong efforts from the Bombers came specifically from Cabral, who led in points with 22 and Zenker, who was not far behind with 16. O'Neal led the team in rebounds with 10 and Luberoff, Leysath, and Zenker followed with seven each. O'Neal also showed off his strong defensive efforts in the stats books with his five steals. 

The Bombers are back in action next Saturday, November 22 at Western New England.