Bombers Roll Past Nazareth, Stay Undefeated in Conference Play
ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Ithaca men's basketball team (5-8, 2-0 Empire 8) won its second straight game with a 70-63 Empire 8 victory over visiting Nazareth (7-5, 1-1 Empire 8) on Saturday afternoon at Ben Light Gymnasium.
Ithaca got off to a strong start, but Nazareth thrice claimed a seven-point edge in the first before the Bombers brought it within four, 32-28, at the break. A trey by senior Jordan Marcus (Solomon Schechter/West Orange, N.J.) tipped off a 9-0 run for the Bombers four minutes into the second as Ithaca claimed the lead for good. Nazareth brought the game within three, 60-57, at 4:14, but Ithaca maintained composure down the stretch to remain perfect in conference play at 2-0.
Sophomore Frank Mitchell (Hillsborough/Hillsborough, N.J.) led all scorers with 25 points, while Marcus and sophomore Christian Jordan (Cherokee/Marlton, N.J.) put up 10 each for the Bombers. Ithaca shot 50 percent from the floor throughout the game and went 24-for-30 from the charity stripe. Nazareth was a cold 10-for-20 from the foul line and converted on just 33.8 percent of its field goals.
A Tom Sweeney (Wissahickon/Ambler, Pa.) jumper put the Bombers ahead early, 8-3, but Nazareth tallied eight unanswered to take control. Ithaca responded with an 11-2 streak of its own to lead 19-13 at the 10-minute mark. The Golden Flyers held Ithaca scoreless for four minutes as they rewrote their deficit to lead 26-19 at 6:05. Nazareth held a 32-28 lead at the break.
A long Marcus three, backed by a Marcus layup, secured Ithaca’s lead indefinitely. The Bombers held a six-point spread on four occasions before the Golden Flyers pulled within three. But that’s as close as they would get as Ithaca hit eight of 10 free throws down the stretch to protect its win.
The teams combined to shoot 9-for-38 from beyond the arc. The Golden Flyers outrebounded Ithaca, 45-29, placing two in double figures. Ithaca posted a season-best eight blocks.