Escobido Hits 1,000 Point; Houghton Edges Alfred; Hartwick and Fisher Cruise

1/24/2014 11:15:00 PM

Ithaca 82, Stevens 65 (Box Score)
Senior forward Jenn Escobido scored her 1,000th career point Friday night to lead the Ithaca College women's basketball team (13-4, 6-1 Empire 8) to an 85-62 victory over visiting Stevens Institute of Technology (10-6, 3-4 Empire 8) at Ben Light Gymnasium.

The Ducks took a commanding 9-0 lead just 2:19 into the game, but Ithaca battled to tie the game at 10. The game was again knotted at 17. Twelve unanswered followed to secure Ithaca an endless advantage. The Bombers closed out the second half on a 28-6 run to lead 45-23 at intermission.

Ithaca maintained a steady advantage early in the second. Stevens surged to thrice cut within nine at 8:50, 5:40 and lastly at 5:01, but the Bombers responded with six consecutive for a solid double-digit lead the rest of the way.

The Ducks, who led the turnover count 18-11, shot slightly better than Ithaca on the night. Stevens connected 40.7 percent of its shots, while Ithaca shot 39.3 percent from the floor. Thirty-six of the Bombers' points were scored at the charity stripe (36-of-46).


Houghton 71, Alfred 70 (Box Score)
After a nail-biting game against the Saxons of Alfred University, the Houghton women's basketball team found themselves on top, winning 71-70. 

The Highlanders didn't waste any time, scoring 9 consecutive points against the Saxons, within the first 2.5 minutes of the game. What is even more impressive is that 7 of the 9 points were scored by Highlander Stephany Ellison. With 12 minutes into the first half, the Highlanders managed to take a 14 point lead. It was during this time that Christel Enriquez-Fisher scored 3 baskets in just over 1 minute. 

Going deeper into the first half created a little uneasiness on behalf of the Highlanders; the Saxons were closing the gap. By the end of the first half, the score was 37-36 in favor of the Highlanders. 

At the conclusion of the first half, Ellison led the way offensively with an impressive 15 points; 9 of which were results of 3-point shots. Enriquez also contributed with 8 points. Both Ellison and Enriquez had one steal each in the first half. 

The first 12 minutes of the second half left the spectators on the edge of their seats. During this 12 minute time frame, the Highlanders and Saxons alternated twice between taking the lead, as well as tying twice. The two teams were also within 1 point of one another, 5 times. 

It was around the 16 minute mark where the Highlanders began to create some "cushion" for what was to come. A layup by both Grace Bealor and Ellison, as well as a jumper by Maisie Pipher furthered the much needed gap between the Highlanders and the Saxons. With an 11 point lead and 2:39 remaining in the game, the Saxons made the Highlanders earn the win.

By committing 3 turnovers in the last 2 minutes of the game, the Highlanders found themselves giving away 7 points. It was with 23 second left in the game when the Saxons tied 70-70. With 17 seconds left in the game, Highlander's Ellison found herself in a 1-1 situation at free throw line. With the weight of the game on her shoulders, she managed to sink her first free throw. This 1 point was all that was needed to secure tonight's victory!


Hartwick 72, Utica 58 (Box Score)
Half of Hartwick's field goals were of the three-point variety on Friday night as the Hawks defeated host Utica 72-58 at Harold T. Clark Gymnasium. 'Wick shot 54.2% (13-for-24) from outside the three-point arc and only 13-for-28 (46%) inside of it on the night en route to its sixth straight win.

The two teams shot exactly 50% in the first half in a back and forth opening 20 minutes. In the second half, 'Wick again shot 50% as a group but it limited the Pioneers to just 8-of-31 shooting (25.8%).

The Hawks led by as many as six with under a minute to play in the first half, but the Pioneers cut the margin to two before halftime, 36-34.

The game continued to be close in the opening six minutes of the second half with two ties and two lead changes. With the score knotted at 45-all, both teams had opportunities to snap the tie over a two-minute span. Brittney Dumas finally put the Hawks in front with a layup at 11:40 and they never trailed again.

Utica kept it close but a crucial Hartwick spurt with under seven minutes left would extend the Hawks' advantage. Leading by just three, Kait Veit nailed a three-pointer and after two defensive stops, Taylor Vonasek dropped in a layup to push the lead to eight. The Pioneers came away empty on the offensive end and Veit made them pay with another three for a 60-49 lead.

Veit made the Hartwick lead 11 again with under four minutes left with a jumper, but her pair of treys 47 seconds apart with roughly two and a half minutes to go put the Hawks up 14 points, 68-54, essentially putting the game on ice.


St. John Fisher 67, Elmira 40 (Box Score)
The St. John Fisher College women's basketball program used a 24-1 run over an 11-minute span, sparking the Cardinals to a 67-40 rout over visiting Elmira College on Friday night.

Lone senior Camaryn Buckner dominated throughout the game, tallying 24 points, 16 rebounds and three blocked shots.  Her final two points – two free throws with 12:25 left – put Fisher up 51-24 and capped a 19-1 run to start the second half.   The game marked Buckner's 27th career double-double and the 16 boards tied a career-high.

Fisher, who never trailed, after jumping out to an early 8-0 lead in the opening four minutes, but the Soaring Eagles hung tough and cut Fisher's lead down to four points at 27-23 with 3:52 left in the half on a 3-pointer from Alex Balara.  

Fisher would end the half on a 5-0 spurt and would take total control in the second half, holding the Soaring Eagles to just one point for the first seven minutes.

SCHOOL	CONF	OVERALL
Hartwick	7-0	14-3
Ithaca	6-1	13-4
Elmira	4-1	11-3
St. John Fisher	3-3	10-6
Stevens	3-4	10-6
Nazareth	2-4	7-9
Alfred	0-5	5-10
Houghton	0-0	5-11
Utica	0-7	5-11
Houghton is an NCAA provisional member and is not eligible for postseason. Games against the Highlanders will not impact conference records/standings.