ITHACA, N.Y. — Vassar College made the plays it needed in the closing minutes, finishing strong to defeat the Ithaca College women's basketball team, 50–43, in a physical Liberty League matchup on Saturday afternoon. The Bombers celebrated Senior Day honoring the careers of
Zoraida Icabalceta,
Avery McPeek and
Madalyn Barrows.
The game remained within a single possession for much of the night, with neither side able to gain separation until the final two minutes.
Vassar opened the scoring in transition as Sierra McDermed converted a fastbreak layup, followed by a three-pointer from Maddie Ahearn. Ithaca answered with strong interior play from
Madison Gill and
Avery McPeek, helping the Bombers take an 11–10 lead after the first quarter.
The second quarter turned into a defensive battle, with both teams forcing turnovers and contesting nearly every look. Ithaca briefly went ahead by four after a
Zoraida Icabalceta three, but Vassar responded by attacking inside. Elodie Ware and Maureen Regan provided steady paint scoring, and a late Regan jumper followed by another McDermed transition finish sent the Brewers into halftime up 24–19.
Vassar pushed its lead to eight early in the third behind Ware's work on the glass and Regan's continued presence inside. Ithaca hung close, however, as baskets from
Natalie Tucker and
Grace McNamara trimmed the deficit to 35–32 entering the fourth.
The Brewers rebuilt a nine-point cushion to start the final quarter thanks to back-to-back layups from Lindsey Shoulders and McDermed. Ithaca mounted one more surge, with a Gill tip-in bringing the Bombers within 44–43 with just over two minutes remaining.
From there, Vassar closed it out. McDermed calmly sank two free throws with 23 seconds left, and Shoulders added two more in the final moments to secure the victory. The Brewers stood tall defensively on Ithaca's last possession and pulled down the final rebound to lock up the 50–43 win.
Vassar's ability to control the paint and convert at the line proved decisive, while late turnovers and missed opportunities stalled Ithaca's comeback attempt.
Ithaca concluded the 2025-26 season with a 9-16 overall record and were 6-12 within the Liberty League.
