ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - The Ithaca College women's basketball team cruised to an 85-34 victory over Bard on Friday evening, extending their winning streak to 14 games. The win improves the Bombers record to 17-7 overall and 16-1 in Liberty League play, keeping them first within the conference standings. Ithaca, currently ranked No. 1 in the Liberty League, will face second-ranked Vassar tomorrow afternoon in a highly anticipated matchup.

Ithaca set the tone early, with Emma Waite sinking a three-pointer in the first 15 seconds. A layup from Annabella Yorio and a tip-in from Anya Watkins quickly put the Bombers ahead 7-2. Bard responded with a fast-break jumper from Lexi Miller but remained stuck at four points for most of the quarter. Meanwhile, Ithaca's offense found its rhythm, knocking down three consecutive three-pointers from Waite, Junie Dickson, and Aila Dervisevic. With 3:04 remaining in the first, Bard added two points on an Erin Tobes jumper, making it 16-6. The Raptors scored twice more before the quarter ended, but the Bombers held a commanding 20-8 lead.

Bard struck first in the second quarter with another layup from Miller. Ithaca responded with a tip-in from Mary Bernat and jump shots from Isabella Mittelman and Grace McNamara. The Bombers offense briefly stalled, managing just a Natalie Tucker layup, while Bard added seven points. The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the quarter, but Ithaca maintained control, heading into halftime up 38-21.

Yorio opened the third quarter with a free throw, followed by five unanswered points from the Bombers. Bard's Aislynn Dixon finally put her team on the board with a layup, but the Raptors managed just five points in the quarter. Ithaca, on the other hand, poured in 21 points, with strong contributions from Tori Drevna, Madalyn Barrows, and McNamara. The Bombers entered the final period with a comfortable 59-28 advantage.

Simone Pintinalli kicked off the fourth-quarter scoring with a three-pointer off a fast break, followed by a layup from Avery McPeek. Dixon answered with a three-pointer for Bard, but the Raptors' offense went silent for the rest of the game, scoring only three more points. Ithaca erupted for 19 unanswered points, stretching their lead to 52 with 1:39 remaining. Jessica Martin drained a late three-pointer for Bard, but it was too little, too late. Bernat closed out the scoring, sealing the 85-34 victory for the Bombers.

McPeek led Ithaca with a season-high 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Pintinalli added nine points, while Mittelman recorded a season-best four steals. Bernat and Icabalceta each contributed three steals.

The Bombers will travel to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. tomorrow for a 2 p.m. faceoff against Vassar College in their final Liberty League and regular season game.