ITHACA, N.Y. - The Ithaca College women's basketball team extended its winning streak to ten games with a special Senior Day victory over RPI.
Annabella Yorio,
Anya Watkins,
Isabella Mittelman, and
Jillian Payne were celebrated for their dedication to the women's basketball program over the past four years. With the 85-59 victory, the Bombers now hold a regular season record of 13-7 and 12-1 in Liberty League play.
Watkins opened the first quarter with a layup, putting the Bombers on the board first. Just seconds later, Callie Flynn completed two layups to give RPI a slight 4-2 lead. However,
Zoraida Icabalceta quickly tied the game at 4-4 with a layup. The remainder of the quarter was a back-and-forth battle. Despite tying the score at 8-8 with a layup from
Emma Waite and again at 12-12 with a Yorio layup, the Bombers did not regain the lead for the rest of the quarter. Heading into the second quarter, Ithaca trailed closely behind, 14-12.
Icabalceta opened the second quarter with a three-pointer, giving the Bombers a one-point lead. The first few minutes mirrored the first quarter, with both teams battling in the paint and preventing each other from gaining a significant lead. With 6:16 left on the clock, Ithaca's offense came alive, fueled by back-to-back layups from Icabalceta and Yorio to push the Bombers ahead, 21-17. Despite a three-pointer from Sophie Costello cutting the lead to 21-20, Ithaca dominated the remainder of the quarter. Holding a seven-point lead with 2:37 left, the Bombers went on a three-point spree, sinking four in the final minutes. Icabalceta, Payne, and Waite contributed to the scoring run, sending Ithaca into halftime with a commanding 43-28 lead over RPI.
RPI opened the third quarter with a three-pointer from Julia Rowe, but less than ten seconds later, Payne responded with a three of her own, her second of the game. Now trailing 46-31, RPI put up four unanswered points, all from Ashlyn O'Neil. The Bombers continued to dominate offensively, maintaining their lead and scoring seven unanswered points from
Elizabeth Majka, Icabalceta, and Waite. With Ithaca leading 55-37 and 4:58 remaining in the quarter, RPI fought to cut into the deficit, scoring four points in just over a minute. However, the Bombers refused to let up, adding eight more points before the end of the quarter, with contributions from
Madison Gill, Majka, Waite, Watkins, and Yorio. The Bombers entered the fourth quarter with a commanding 68-49 lead.
Despite RPI opening the fourth quarter with a free throw, Watkins responded with a layup and two made free throws, extending Ithaca's lead to 20 points. RPI continued to battle, scoring ten points in the final quarter, but it was not enough to overcome Ithaca's dominant performance. The Bombers put up another 17 points in the fourth quarter, securing an 85-59 victory.
Anya Watkins led the Bombers offense with 17 points and a team-high seven rebounds.
Emma Waite followed with 14 points and also recorded four steals.
The Bombers will take on RIT on Tuesday, February 11, at 5:30 p.m. for their final regular season home game at Ben Light Gymnasium.
