The men’s basketball team concluded its best ever regular season today with a 101–74 win over Rochester Institute of Technology. The Bombers finished the regular season with a 24–1 record.

Ithaca never trailed the Tigers in their second meeting of the season, stepping onto the floor right from the beginning with a high-energy approach. The South Hill squad got its quick spark from sophomore Chris Cruz who scored the first points of the game off a lay up. Minutes later, Cruz followed with a one handed alley-oop from senior guard Sean Burton.

Burton led the team with 32 points and 10 assists. He connected on 12 of 18 shots from the field and six of 10 three pointers.

Graduate student guard Scott Ruffrage had a career game, posting his first ever double double with career highs with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Ruffrage said it felt good to beat RIT after the Tigers defeated the Bombers on a debatable buzzer beater Jan. 11.

“We felt we got [robbed] a little bit on that questionable call up at their place,” Ruffrage said. “We’ve had this circled since Jan. 11, and it was great to come out and play well today and get a victory.”

Head Coach Jim Mullins said he was pleased with Ruffrage’s performance because it will gain him some well-deserved acknowledgement.

“He always comes up with big plays and it’s nice he’ll get some recognition because there are some stats to go along with it,” Mullins said. He’s been the type of kid who has made huge plays that have helped us win games and he flies under the radar because there are no numbers or statistics for hustle plays.

Freshman guard Jordan Marcus scored more than 20 points for the second game in a row with his 21 coming off the bench. Marcus hit four three pointers on nine attempts and contributed two steals.

Junior center Tom Brown got the start with senior center Jeff Bostic still sidelined with an ankle injury. Brown pulled down 11 rebounds and scored nine points against the Tigers. He said the Blue and Gold were able to stay on top of RIT because of the enthusiasm they displayed on the floor.

“It was the energy,” Brown said. “Some games we come out and we’re a little flat like in the [Alfred University] game. When we come out with that kind of energy, we can play with anybody in the country.”

With a win over Nazareth College on Friday, the South Hill squad clinched the top spot in the conference, bringing the Empire 8 tournament to Ithaca for the second year in a row.

The Bombers return to action at 4 p.m. Feb. 28 against either Nazareth or St. John Fisher College in Ben Light Gymnasium. Matchups will be announced by the conference office Tuesday.