The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan
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The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan
The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan
The Ithaca College men's basketball team advanced to the Liberty League championship game with a win over the St. Lawrence University Saints Feb. 28. The team huddles around head coach Waleed Farid during a timeout.

Men’s basketball moves on to Liberty League championship game

By Ryan Nieskens, Staff Writer • March 3, 2025
The Ithaca College men’s basketball team cruised past the St. Lawrence University Saints in the Liberty League Championship Tournament Semifinals on Feb. 28. The Bombers’ suffocating defense and ability to get to the free-throw line propelled them to a 62-42 victory. 
The Ithaca College men's basketball team came from behind to defeat the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers Feb. 11. Pictured, sophomore guard Jaylon O'Neal drives past a Tigers' defender.

Men’s basketball mounts comeback to defeat Tigers

By Isabella McSweeney, Contributing Writer • February 13, 2025
The Ithaca College men’s basketball team staged a late-game comeback for a 80-69 win over the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers on Feb. 11 in the Ben Light Gymnasium. The victory boosts the Bombers to a 13-8 record, and a third-place standing in the Liberty League with three games left to play.
First-year standout Chris Leysath faces up against a defender against Saint Lawarence University during the Bomber's most recent conference victory on Jan. 18

First-year standout helps Bombers navigate through early season injuries

By Jacob Infald, Co-Sports Editor • January 22, 2025
The Ithaca College men’s basketball team has had to navigate through adversity early on in the season as several key rotational pieces have been sidelined with injuries. However, led by the emergence of first-year forward Chris Leysath, the Bombers find themselves with a 9–5 record and are 6–1 in Liberty League competition. 
From left, sophomore forward Alex Penders and sophomore guard Evan Cabral were key contributors for the Ithaca College men's basketball team last season. Although the Bombers struggled toward the end of the season, Cabral and Penders said the team is determined to bounce back.

Men’s basketball ready for action despite injuries

By Jacob Infald, Co-Sports Editor • November 7, 2024
After missing the playoffs in the 2023–24 campaign, the Ithaca College men’s basketball team looks to return to its winning ways with a mix of youth and upperclassmen leaders, as it battles through early season injuries. 
Sophomore guard Cole Wissink gets ready to shoot a free-throw while trailing 34–26 deep into the first half in the Bombers' senior day loss to Vassar College on Feb. 17.

Men’s basketball miss playoffs for first time since 2016-17 season with loss to Brewers

By Flynn Hynes, Head Sports Editor • February 18, 2024
The Ithaca College men’s basketball team squared off against the Vassar College Brewers on Senior Day Feb. 17 at Ben Light Gymnasium. The Bombers fell 79-78 in the last minute of the game and gave their final goodbyes to senior guards Andrew Geschickter, Triston Wennersten, Noah Downing and Blake Haber.
First-year guard Jaylon O'Neal takes the ball to the hoop while being chased down by Raptors' senior guard Heston Tucker and other defenders in the Bombers' loss on Feb. 16.

Men’s basketball falls in overtime loss to Raptors

By Flynn Hynes, Head Sports Editor • February 17, 2024
With playoff hopes still alive, the Ithaca College men’s basketball team mounted a second half comeback against the Bard College Raptors sending the game into overtime. However, the South Hill Squad ultimately fell short 102–97 and as a result were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since the 2016-17 season.
From left to right, first-year forward Alex Penders, sophomore guard Cole Wissink, first-year guard Evan Cabral and sophomore forward Gavin Schauder. All four underclassmen have recorded substantial minutes for the team in the winter season.

Young blood forms the backbone of rejuvenated men’s basketball

By Flynn Hynes, Head Sports Editor • January 25, 2024
Last season, the Ithaca College men’s basketball team heavily relied on their upperclassmen, with four out of five starters being seniors or graduate students. However, this year, much has changed, with many underclassmen shining for the Bombers. Now, the team holds a 10–6 record and had a 9–3 start compared to the team’s 7–5 start last season.
Bombers' sophomore guard Cole Wissink picks up graduate student forward Jonny Angbazo as he begins to make his way up the court in the Bombers' 82–66 defeat Jan. 19.

Men’s basketball fails to hang on against Engineers

By Flynn Hynes, Head Sports Editor • January 20, 2024
The Ithaca College men's basketball team faced the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers on Jan. 19 at Ben Light Gymnasium. Although the first 25 minutes of the game were back and forth, the Engineers couldn't seem to be stopped for the last 15 minutes of the game, outscoring the Bombers 42–26 and defeating them 82–66.
From left, Bombers' junior guard Aidan Holmes drives right down the baseline as Yellowjackets' junior forward Logan Jagodzinski tries to defend the penetration into the lane.

Second half surge leads men’s basketball to victory over Yellowjackets

By Flynn Hynes, Head Sports Editor • December 8, 2023
The Ithaca College men's basketball team faced the University of Rochester Yellowjackets on Dec. 6 in Ben Light Gymnasium. The first 30 minutes remained back and forth until the Bombers got away with a run in the last ten minutes of the game to take home the victory 86–70.
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