GENEVA, N.Y.— The William Smith basketball team dropped a conference matchup this afternoon to Liberty League foe Ithaca in Bristol Gymnasium. The Bombers played a strong defensive game to close out the conference contest on top 48-24.

First-year Jojo Sulmasy led the Herons with six points and two rebounds, while sophomore Giana Lobozzo chipped in five points, four steals and three rebounds. Ava Lobozzo added four points and eight rebounds for William Smith. Sophomore Amelia McCulley and first-year Bridget McCleary also added eight rebounds each in the loss.

Ithaca was led by Madison Gill with nine points, two steals and two rebounds. Natalie Tucker and Aila Dervisevic added six points each for the Bombers. Anya Watkins grabbed a match-high nine boards in the win for Ithaca.

TEAM TOTALS

• Rebounds: Ithaca 51, William Smith 49
• Assists: Ithaca 7, William Smith 4
• Turnovers: William Smith 24, Ithaca 17
• Steals: Ithaca 13, William Smith 12
• Blocked Shots: William Smith 4, Ithaca 2

HERON STAT LEADERS

• Scoring: Jojo Sulmasy 6, Giana Lobozzo 5, Ava Lobozzo 4, Carly Scott 3
• Rebounding: Ava Lobozzo 8, Bridget McCleary 8, Amelia McCulley 8
• Assists: Anne Keneally 1, Carly Scott 1, Grace O'Connor 1, Miranda Martin 1
• Steals: Giana Lobozzo 4, Molly Walsh 3, Anne Keneally 2, Bridget McCleary 1, Dani Krenzer 1, Carly Scott 1

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both sides started out slow offensively and played tough defense as the two sides combined for 14 points. Both teams shot under 15% from the floor as the Bombers jumped out to an early 11-3 lead after the opening 10 minutes.
• Ithaca's offense started to connect in the second quarter as five different players registered at least two points. The Bombers found nine points from its bench to extend its lead to 17 heading into halftime.
• The Bombers opened the second half on a 7-0 run before a Sulmasy layup halted the Ithaca scoring run. Ithaca responded well and pushed its lead to as much as 27 points to close out the third quarter.
• William Smith's offense came alive in the final 10 minutes as the Herons shot 31% from the floor. Six different players scored for William Smith to combine for 13 late points. Ithaca used the clock to their advantage and closed out the conference battle on top.

FOR THE RECORD

• William Smith falls to 1-11 with the loss. The Herons are 1-4 in Liberty League play.
• With the win, Ithaca moves to 4-7 overall with a 3-1 mark in conference play.

UP NEXT
 
William Smith will be back in action Tuesday, Jan. 14, when it travels to Troy, New York, for a Liberty League matchup with RPI. Tipoff between the Herons and the Engineers is set for 5:30 in ECAV Arena.