The Ithaca College women’s basketball team were victorious in the Liberty League quarterfinals contest, defeating the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers by a score of 78–59 on Feb. 20.
This was the Bombers’ tenth straight win against the Tigers and the game was electric from the start with both teams making their first five shots. Graduate student guard Camryn Coffey got the ball rolling for the Bombers’ offense, netting the first seven points of the game for the Ithaca squad.
The Tigers answered with impressive 3-point shooting throughout the first quarter. RIT made six 3-point baskets to make up 18 out of the Tiger’s 24 first quarter points, giving them a 24–23 lead to close out the quarter.
The Bombers began to push harder at the onset of the second quarter and did not slow down, putting up six unanswered points to open the quarter.
This aggressive style of play would continue throughout the second quarter as the Bombers took a 44–37 lead at the half, outshooting RIT 21–14 in the second quarter.
Coming out of the half, the Bomber squad looked dominant on the defensive end. Throughout the third quarter, the team held the Tigers to only seven points while scoring 16 of their own.
Additionally, capitalizing off of the strong defensive effort, the Bombers’ 11 third quarter rebounds allowed them to create strong chances and grow their lead to an impressive 60-44 entering the final quarter of play.
Turning defense into offense, the Bombers forced 19 RIT turnovers throughout the matchup, resulting in 13 fast break points and 25 total points off the turnovers.
Led by graduate student guard Junie Dickson, who put up a game high 26 points in the contest, the Bombers’ offense looked cohesive, especially during the second half of play, which created quality opportunities for the Bombers.
A true team effort, the Bombers’ offense produced 28 points off the bench.
The final 10 minutes of play showed a continued impressive style of play by the Bombers, leading them to a commanding 78–59 win over the Tigers.
Totaling 78 points, 48 rebounds and connecting on 43.8 % of their shots, the South Hill Squad put together a strong performance and one that senior guard Hannah Polce said she sees as a statement win.
“This was a strong decisive win,” Polce said. “We’re going to Skidmore, where of course we have that mentality that we want to win, and this game shows that we’re back and we’re ready.”
The Bombers now advance to the Liberty League semifinals and will travel to Saratoga Springs, New York for a rematch with the Skidmore College Thoroughbreds Feb. 23. The Thoroughbreds are currently ranked No. 2 in the Liberty League and beat the Bombers 50–26 in their last matchup Feb. 2.
