Box Score Box Score

ITHACA, N.Y.—William Smith junior forward Kristen Kush scored a game-high 15 points, but the host Ithaca basketball team posted a 76-64 season-opening victory. The Bombers used a big run in the first half to break open the contest.

Kush was 7-of-17 from the floor and grabbed six rebounds. Sophomore guard Sydni Salvatore notched her first collegiate double-double with 13 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. First-year guard Sasha Borenstein put her long-range skills on display, connecting on 4-of-8 from behind the arc for 12 points.

William Smith had more than twice as many steals as Ithaca (17-8), including a game-high five by sophomore guard Jaimie Rubin, but the Herons struggle to find their shooter's touch. Ithaca shot 49.3 percent from the floor (51.4% in the first half), while limiting William Smith to 30.3 percent.

The Bombers put four players in double digits, led by Elissa Klie's 14 points. Devin Shea added a double-double on 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

Ithaca was clinging to a two-point lead, 11-9, when the tide turned in the Bombers' favor. They rattled off a 15-3 run to stretch their lead to 26-12 with 9:27 remaining in the first half. Ithaca let its lead slip into single digits just once down the stretch, 29-20 after a three by Borenstein, and led by as many as 21.

William Smith will be back in action on Saturday, Nov. 20, when they square off with No. 14 Williams in the first round of the Emmanuel Tournament. Tipoff is scheduled for noon.