GENEVA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's basketball team concluded the 2025 portion of its season with a Liberty League road contest at Hobart on Tuesday evening, but the Bombers wound up on the wrong end of an 86-66 decision to fall to 2-6 on the season.

Hobart netted the first points of the game on a layup 20 seconds in as Alex Penders answered with a 3-pointer in the next minute. With 17:18 remaining Hobart then went on a seven-point scoring streak which was eventually put to an end when Jose Padilla netted a three, making the score 13-9 with 14:39 remaining.

Hobart then went on another scoring streak netting 13 points that the Bombers struggled to put an end to making the score 39-16 with 5:27 remaining in the half. Strong efforts were made by Ithaca's Evan Cabral to keep them in the game and scratch their way back as Cole Wissink delivered a three that gave the Bombers some energy.

Defensively, Alex Penders and Jaylon O'Neal had multiple important rebounds and blocks that helped keep the Bombers in the game and helped stop Hobart's momentum. Despite Bombers efforts, Hobart's free-throw advantage kept Ithaca from fully closing the gap. Point leaders to end the first half include Cabral (11 points), Jose Padilla (five points), Penders (five points) from Ithaca as the Bombers head into the locker room 53-26 Hobart. 

The Bombers opened the scoring in the second half as Penders netted his seventh point of the night with a layup 20 seconds into the half. Nick Lemmond then netted a three, and shortly after, Tylar Okai-Koi energized the Bombers with back-to-back steals and a breakaway dunk that ignited the bench.

Cabral served as the backbone for the Bombers attacking the rim for multiple strong finishes and creating offensive opportunities for his teammates including a late assist to O'Neal for a corner three. The Bombers also found production from their depth: Alex Penders came up with a steal and a layup, Cole Wissink hit a timely free throw and later added a composed finish at the rim, and David Luberoff gave Ithaca extra possessions with his work on the offensive glass. 

Even while Hobart's lead was maintained throughout the ladder half of the game The Bombers fought hard for offensive efforts and defensive rebounds to attempt to claw their way back. The game wrapped up with the final score, 86-66.

Cabral led the team with another impressive shooting night of 22 points with Penders and Padilla following behind with 12 each. O'Neal led the team in rebounds tonight with seven as Nick Lemmond and Luberoff had four apiece. Additionally, Penders also contributed two blocks and two steals from a defensive perspective. 

The Bombers are off for the remainder of 2025 and will return to action on January 2 against Kean University in Hoboken, N.J.