ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's basketball team opened its 2025-26 season at home against Brockport on Saturday evening in Ben Light Gymnasium and was dealt a 96-87 loss.

Despite a 3-pointer from Matthew Zenker on the Bombers' opening possession staked IC to an early 3-0 lead, Ithaca struggled offensively and went scoreless over the next six-plus minutes to fall behind, 17-3.

IC ended its drought at the 13:13 mark of the half, which sparked a 14-3 run over the next three minutes to pull the Bombers to within a 20-17 difference. Four different players scored three points during the run.

Brockport would re-establish a pair of double-digit leads over the final 10 minutes of the half, but Ithaca closed strong and went into intermission trailing, 41-37.

IC rode that momentum into the second half and took a 49-48 lead on a layup from Jaylon O'Neal at the 16:04 mark, but a 13-1 run from the Golden Eagles over the next four minutes put the Bombers back at another double-digit deficit at 61-50.

Hot shooting from freshman Nick Lemmond brought the Bombers all the way back to a 67-67 deadlock with 8:42 to go as Lemmond scored 11 points during the run. Zenker then put the Bombers back ahead, 69-67, with a pair of free throws, but that was the last advantage for IC on the evening as Brockport scored 20 of the next 28 points to make it 87-75 with just under three minutes remaining in the contest.

Ithaca was only able to get to within eight points the rest of the way and Brockport iced the game at the free throw line for the 96-87 final.

Zenker led the Bombers in his debut with 26 points on 9-of-18 shooting to go along with three rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

Evan Cabral added 19 points on 7-of-19 from the floor and set a new school record with 10 steals. Cabral also pulled down five rebounds. Jaylon O'Neal also reached double figures with 13 points and added eight rebounds and four assists.

The Bombers are back in action next Thursday, November 13 for a 7:30 contest at Cortland.