The Bombers will make the program's fifth straight NCAA playoff appearance and reach the 20-win total for the sixth year in a row and the eight time in nine years.
Cleary added eight rebounds (one short of her career-high) and six steals. She raised her season total to 617 points and her career total to 1,821, extending her school records in both categories. She also set school records during the game for free throws made in a season (141) and career (340). Cleary hit a three-pointer and a lay-up on consecutive possessions after the Cardinals who never led in the second half, had rallied to pull within 60-59 with 3:31 left. The Bombers converted all six of their free-throw attempts in the final 1:04 to pull away.
Kathy Baum led the Cardinals with 17 points. Melissa Hartman and Kelli Nash scored 14 and 13 points, respectively. Adria Matonak added 11 points and seven assists. Allison Boehme pulled down a team-leading nine rebounds.
Jill Post collected 13 points and eight rebounds for the Bombers. Sue Kelly contribnuted 12 points. Alex Ivansheck finished with five assists and five steals.
St. John Fisher vs Ithaca 02/27/05 1 p.m. at Ben Light Gymnasium; Ithaca, N.Y. At Ben Light Gymnasium; Ithaca, N.Y. ITHACA 71, ST. JOHN FISHER 63 ST. JOHN FISHER (18-9) Kathy Baum 6-13 0-0 17; Melissa Hartman 6-11 2-4 14; Kelli Nash 5-12 0-0 13; Adria Matonak 3-8 3-4 11; Allison Boehm 0-7 4-4 4; Mary Francis 2-5 0-1 4; Jen Lardo 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 22-58 9-13 63. ITHACA (20-7) Stephanie Cleary 12-26 6-8 36; Jill Post 5-8 2-2 13; Sue Kelly 4-8 2-2 12; Alex Ivansheck 0-5 4-4 4; Molly Brennan 2-3 0-0 4; Jessica Poole 1-3 0-0 2; Megan Micho 0-1 0-0 0; Lauren Kusy 0-1 0-0 0; Erin Sanvidge 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 24-59 14-16 71. St. John Fisher............... 32 31 - 63 Ithaca........................ 33 38 - 71 3-point goals-St. John Fisher 10-24 (Kathy Baum 5-9; Kelli Nash 3-4; Adria Matonak 2-5; Mary Francis 0-2; Allison Boehm 0-4), Ithaca 9-33 (Stephanie Cleary 6-18; Sue Kelly 2-5; Jill Post 1-2; Lauren Kusy 0-1; Erin Sanvidge 0-3; Alex Ivansheck 0-4). Fouled out--St. John Fisher-None, Ithaca-None. Rebounds-St. John Fisher 32 (Allison Boehm 9), Ithaca 40 (Stephanie Cleary 8; Jill Post 8). Assists-St. John Fisher 14 (Adria Matonak 7), Ithaca 14 (Alex Ivansheck 5). Total fouls-St. John Fisher 16, Ithaca 14.