Bombers’ Strong Start Fades in 72-65 Loss to New Paltz
The Ithaca College women’s basketball team hit the road for a tough matchup against SUNY New Paltz on Saturday afternoon. They started strong and held a halftime lead, but the Bombers ended up dropping a 72-65 decision to the Hawks.
The loss leaves Ithaca at 1-2 as they set their sights on the upcoming tournament at Brockport. There’s a lot to work on, but also some real flashes of promise.
Fast Start for the Bombers
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Ithaca came out firing, jumping to a 24-17 lead by the end of the first quarter. They played with real energy—sharp shooting, aggressive defense, and quick ball movement made it fun to watch.
It looked like the Bombers might run away with it early. They took advantage of every opening, and honestly, the pace caught New Paltz off guard for a bit.
Key Players in the First Quarter
Several Bombers stood out right away:
- Tori Drevna: Set the tone with strong shooting and led the scoring.
- Madalyn Barrows: Grabbed boards and chipped in points.
- Natalie Tucker: Knocked down some key shots.
Second Quarter: Hawks Close the Gap
Things shifted in the second quarter as SUNY New Paltz started to settle in. The Hawks attacked the paint and upped their defensive intensity, slowly eating away at Ithaca’s lead.
By halftime, Ithaca’s cushion had shrunk to just three points. The tension was building, and you could feel the momentum start to shift.
Defensive Adjustments by New Paltz
New Paltz made a few smart moves on defense:
- Increased Pressure: They ramped up the pressure, making Ithaca work for every basket.
- Attacking the Paint: Driving to the rim paid off, helping them close the gap.
Pivotal Third Quarter
The third quarter really flipped the script. New Paltz found their groove on offense and started to pull ahead, while Ithaca just couldn’t keep up the pace.
The Hawks grabbed a slim lead heading into the final quarter, and you could tell Ithaca was searching for answers.
Offensive Struggles for Ithaca
It wasn’t pretty for Ithaca in the third:
- Scoring Drought: The Bombers went cold for a stretch, and New Paltz took advantage.
- Turnovers: Too many giveaways made it hard for Ithaca to get back on track.
Fourth Quarter: Hawks Secure Victory
New Paltz finished strong in the fourth, hitting clutch shots and getting key stops. The Hawks outscored Ithaca down the stretch to lock up a 72-65 win at home.
This victory makes it three straight for New Paltz, who now sit at 3-0. Not a bad way to open the season for them.
Key Performances in the Final Quarter
A few Bombers kept battling until the end:
- Tori Drevna: Led the way with 19 points.
- Madalyn Barrows: Came up just shy of a double-double, finishing with 11 points and nine rebounds.
- Natalie Tucker: Added 10 points, giving Ithaca a needed boost.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Tournament at Brockport
Ithaca drops to 1-2 and now heads to the Brockport tournament, where they’ll take on Fredonia and SUNY Brockport. These next games feel pretty important if the Bombers want to build some early-season momentum.
Game Schedule
The Bombers’ tournament schedule looks like this:
- Friday at 7 p.m.: Ithaca vs. Fredonia
- Saturday at 3 p.m.: Ithaca vs. SUNY Brockport
Curious about more details or upcoming matchups? Check out the official Ithaca College Athletics website.