The Bombers allowed just eight points in the game's first 11 minutes, opening up a 24-8 advantage. After stretching their lead to as much as 15 in the first half they withstood a Pioneer rally early in the second half; Utica used a 7-2 run to pull within six but Ithaca retook control by scoring 11 of the next 16 points and eventually led by as many as 21. The Bombers forced 28 Utica turnovers, turning them into 26 points.
Junior center Erika Steele (Hopkinton/Hopkinton, Mass.) led Ithaca with 19 points and nine rebounds. Senior guard Sue Kelly (Bethlehem/Delmar) added 13 points.
Junior guard Laura Keating (Horseheads/Whitesboro) was Utica's only double-digit score, netting 23 points to go along with eight rebounds and four steals.
The win was the Bombers' 18th in their last 20 games against Utica (who has won just one game at Ben Light Gymnasium in 15 tries) and allowed them to salvage a split of their weekend conference series. In the eight years of Empire 8 play, Ithaca has never been swept in a weekend series.
Ithaca hosts Buffalo State Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Box score
Newspaper Box Score Utica vs Ithaca 01/13/07 2 p.m. at Ithaca, N.Y. (Ben Light Gymnasium) At Ithaca, N.Y. (Ben Light Gymnasium) ITHACA 78, UTICA 60 UTICA (8-5, 1-2E8) Laura Keating 6-12 9-11 23; Dana Danziger 3-7 3-6 9; Ava Thomas 3-8 3-3 9; Jessica Snyder 1-6 3-6 5; Kristen Vasta 2-7 0-0 5; Karen Crisanti 2-3 0-0 4; Mallory Davis 1-8 2-3 4; Maria Stipano 0-0 1-2 1. Totals 18-51 21-31 60. ITHACA (4-8, 2-1E8) Erika STEELE 6-10 7-8 19; Brynn FESSETTE 7-12 0-2 17; Sue KELLY 6-14 0-0 13; Molly FRIEL 2-4 5-5 9; Katherine BIXBY 2-10 2-2 6; Tracy BRADLEY 0-1 5-6 5; Jeanine BURKE 1-3 1-2 3; Erin SANVIDGE 0-3 2-2 2; Kali CARNOVALE 1-4 0-0 2; Megan RUMSCHIK 1-3 0-0 2; Caitlin McFADDEN 0-1 0-0 0; Lindsey JONES 0-0 0-0 0; Amy SMITH 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 26-69 22-27 78. Utica......................... 26 34 - 60 Ithaca........................ 38 40 - 78 3-point goals--Utica 3-10 (Laura Keating 2-5; Kristen Vasta 1-4; Dana Danziger 0-1), Ithaca 4-17 (Brynn FESSETTE 3-6; Sue KELLY 1-5; Katherine BIXBY 0-4; Kali CARNOVALE 0-1; Caitlin McFADDEN 0-1). Fouled out--Utica-Ava Thomas, Ithaca-None. Rebounds--Utica 39 (Laura Keating 8; Jessica Snyder 8), Ithaca 40 (Erika STEELE 9). Assists--Utica 10 (Dana Danziger 3; Mallory Davis 3), Ithaca 13 (Erin SANVIDGE 3). Total fouls--Utica 22, Ithaca 28. Technical fouls--Utica-None, Ithaca-None.