Ithaca, NY – The Elmira College Women's Basketball team fell to host Ithaca College, 59-45, Friday night in Ithaca. The loss is the Soaring Eagles' first in the last four games as it drops to 6-10 overall and 2-3 in Empire 8 play. The win improves the Bombers to 13-3 and keeps them perfect in conference competition at 5-0.

Five minutes into the game Ithaca led 8-7, but over the next 12 minutes they outscored EC 23-13, carrying a 32-24 advantage at intermission. Jessica Zoltowski '14 (Erie, PA -- Harbor Creek) and Maria Thannhauser '14 (Newfield, NY – Newfield) combined for 19 points on 7-for-11 shooting in the opening stanza, while the rest of the team shot just 1-for-9 from the field.

In the second half Elmira was able to get the score within five at 42-37 with 12:36 remaining, but the Bombers proved resilient going on a 9-1 run to take a commanding lead that the Soaring Eagles could not overcome.

Elmira's three captains combined for 34 of the team's 45 points on the night. Thannhauser led EC with 15, Zoltowski had 12 points and six rebounds, and Darcy James '12 (Castile, NY -- Letchworth Central) added seven points.  The Bombers placed four players in double figures with Devin Shea (20), Kathryn Campbell (11), Jessica Farley (10) and Jenn Escobido (10) all contributing. Escobido tallied a double-double as she also notched 11 boards, nine of which came on the offensive glass.

Ithaca turned the ball over 17 times, while EC had 16 turnovers. Hoowever, the Bombers held a distinctive 16-7 advantage in points off turnovers. Ithaca controlled the glass, outrebounding Elmira 46-22 and turning 20 offensive rebounds into 11 second chance points. The Bombers outscored EC 26-8 in the paint, while Elmira's bench held an 8-6 advantage.

The Elmira College Women's Basketball team returns to action tomorrow when they visit Utica College for a 2:00 p.m. tilt.