GENEVA, N.Y.—William Smith College junior
Mia Morrison produced a game-high 17 points, nine rebounds and matched her career-high with four blocked shots, but Ithaca College used a strong fourth quarter to push past the Herons 68-53 in Bristol Gym tonight.
Morrison was joined in double figures by senior
Kendra Quinn-Moultrie and first-year
Juliana Gamboa, who each netted 10 points. Sophomore
Emma Gallagher grabbed a game and career-high 12 rebounds while handing out a game and career-high five assists.
The Herons (10-7, 4-6) had a slim 47-44 edge in rebounds, but couldn't overcome a season-high 27 turnovers against the Bombers' defensive pressure.
Ithaca (12-5, 7-3) was led by sophomore Cassidy O'Malley's 16 points and nine rebounds. Senior Julie Yacovoni added 15 points and nine boards, while junior Meghan Pickell scored 11 points.
The Bombers charged out of the gate, using their full-court press to generate turnovers and an early 8-0 lead. Pickell made baskets to start and end the run. Just over three minutes into the game, Morrison got the Herons on the board, but the Bombers led 16-7 after 10 minutes.
In the second quarter after trailing by as many as 11, the Herons were able to rally, cutting their deficit to just four at the half. Allison Spaschak's free throw with 41 seconds left gave the Bombers a 10-point edge. Gamboa countered with an old-fashion 3-point play at the other end of the floor and then hit a long-range 3-pointer just ahead of the buzzer to make it 30-26 going into the break.
William Smith continued to fight, closing to within four three times in the third quarter, but couldn't close the gap entirely. Gamboa hit another buzzer-beater to end the third with the Herons trailing 47-42 with just 10 minutes to go.
The Bombers' first two baskets of the fourth quarter both came off steals, the first by first-year Grace Cannon made it 49-42 and less than 10 seconds later Yacovoni did the same to up the score to 51-42. By the seven-minute mark, Ithaca's lead was in double figures for good.
William Smith will continue its five-game homestand on Saturday, Jan. 27, when the Herons host Liberty League leading RIT (14-3, 8-2) at 2 p.m.
