ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's basketball team held a seven-point lead at the half over the top team in the Liberty League, Union College, on Saturday afternoon inside Ben Light Gymnasium, but the Garnet Chargers rallied to build an 18-point second half lead and went on to win the game, 81-73. Ithaca is now 3-9 on the season.

The game kicked off with an opening dunk from Ithaca's Matthew Zenker followed up with a layup from Jaylon O'Neal with assist from Evan Cabral. Vassar got their first points in the game off an assisted layup two and half minutes in. Cabral then had a layup of his own as well as setting up Alex Penders for a two-point play. At the 16:24 mark IC's Nick Lemmond made his first basket of the day giving the Bombers a 10-4 lead. While the Union Garnet Chargers tried to take the lead, IC's David Luberoff put together a three-point play as Zenker netted a layup as Ithaca jumped to a 15-8 lead. With 8:39 left in the half, O'Neal netted a second basket of the day followed by Zenker with another three as the Bombers led 22-15.

A strong defensive rebound from Luberoff provided a 3-point opportunity for Alex Pender's as he sinks a three moving the score to 25-17 Bombers with 7:28 remaining in the half. A three pointer from Cabral and two free throws from Luberoff gave the Bombers an eight-point lead with 5:05 remaining, 30-22. Back-to-back buckets from Zenker gave him his 16th point if the night as he continued to pick apart the Union defense giving the Bombers an 11-point lead with a minute and half left in the first half. Throughout the end of the half the Garnet Chargers continuously tried to come back however their efforts were no match as Ithaca goes into the half leading by seven, 39-32. 

At the half, Ithaca had five steals compared to Union's three while IC also had 14 bench points compared to Union's four. Individually IC's Zenker has so far proved to be a standout tallying 16 points, two steals, and three rebounds at the half. 

Chris Leysath opened the Bombers' second half scoring with a layup thirty seconds into the half. Numerous free throws and a made layup from Union allowed them to close the lead to three points with 17:29 remaining in the game. Luberoff then netted a layup in order to re-extend the Bomber lead to 5. After a back and forth few minutes, including layups from Lemmond and Zenker in the middle of the second half, and many Union shot attempts, the Garnet Chargers came within two points of Ithaca's lead at the 13:14 mark, 49-47. After a layup to tie up the game at 49 each at the 12:32 mark Union netted a free throw giving them their first lead of the day, 49-50. 

With 10 minutes remaining in the game the Garnet Chargers net another basket and extend their lead to 8 and go on a 13-point scoring run. At the 8:52 mark, Jaylon O'Neal puts an end to Unions 15-point scoring run and Ithaca's five-minute scoring drought as he nets a layup and his eighth point of the night as Ithaca trails by 9, 51-60. As the clock ticks past the 5-minute mark Union has taken an 18-point lead over the Bombers, 52-70. Free throws from Evan Cabral and a jump shot from Matthew Zenker bring the Bombers within 14 points with just over four minutes remaining. The Bombers came within 12 with 2:26 remaining as Nick Lemmond nets a free throw. After a few hustles plays from the Bombers and a made layup from Zenker the Bombers crawl within eight points with thirty-three seconds left. As the clock ran out the Garnet Chargers came out on top at, they were victorious with a final score of 73-81 Union. 

Impressive individual efforts on the night came from Zenker scoring 24 points and having two steals and seven rebounds. Additionally, Luberoff contributed seven rebounds, one assist, one block, and 11 points. Meanwhile, Cabral tallied 12 points, three steals, three assists, and one rebound. 

Ithaca stays at home for three games next week against Hobart, RPI and Bard.