Ithaca, N.Y.—The Ithaca College women's basketball team defeated the Utica Pioneers 104-47 in an Empire 8 showdown on Friday Jan. 30 in Ben Light Gymnasium. The Bombers now advance to 14-4 on the season and 8-1 in the conference.

Ithaca's 104 points marks the second highest scoring total in women's basketball program history. In 1980, the Bombers netted 105 points against St. Lawrence to set the scoring title. The last time Ithaca broke 100 points was on Nov. 18 2009, overcoming William Smith by a score of 102-81.

Tonight was also the third straight home win for Ithaca by a margin of 39 or more points.

Senior Francesca Cotrupe started the point streak with the first layup of the game off of an offensive rebound to put the Bombers up 2-0. Utica responded with a basket to tie the score at 19:17 in the first half, which would be the only time the score would be tied all game. Ithaca never trailed in the match.

Cotrupe made two more baskets, holding all of the Bombers six points in an early 6-2 lead. Ithaca then went on to score 19 points in the next eight minutes to lead the Pioneers 25-8 with 11:17 left in the first half. The Bombers went into halftime with a 50-21 command over Utica.

All fifteen players entered tonight's contest. Fourteen women hit shots for the Bombers and nine of those athletes scored six or more points in the conference match-up. Of the 104 total points scored, 48 points came from off the Ithaca bench.

Senior Ally Mnich led the team with a season-high nineteen points overall, netting 10 in the first half. Mnich went 7-of-10 overall and 3-for-5 from the three-point line.

Sophomore Ali Ricchiuti earned 13 points, going 3-for-6 from behind the arc. Ricchiuti added a pair of assists and three rebounds.

Keri Steele and Alex Gilligan each posted 10 points for the Bombers. Steele came close to a double-double with a team-high eight assists, six rebounds, two steals and a block on the night. Gilligan added six assists for Ithaca.

Cotrupe's performance earned her eight total points, in addition to seven rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

Senior Samantha Klie and rookie Jordan Beers both grabbed five rebounds for the Bombers. Klie tallied six points, three assists and a steal. Beers notched nine points and two assists.

Forwards Erin Ferguson and Annie Murray each netted six points for the Bombers. Ferguson also added six rebounds and a block for Ithaca. Murray recorded two rebounds and a steal to go along with her career high, six points.

Sophomore Shayna Gaskins went 2-for-2 from the field to log four points, five rebounds, a steal and an assist.

Senior Geena Brady notched three rebounds, an assist and a block.     

Freshman Julie Yacovoni charted all stats with five points, five rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal.  Fellow freshmen Erin Woop and Allison Spaschak each netted a basket for the Bombers. Woop earned three assists and two rebounds, while Spaschak added an assist and steal. Rookie Sage VanAmerongen tied a career high four points and added a rebound for the Bombers.

Ithaca shot 47.3% overall and went 7-for-11 from the free throw line. The Bombers also drilled 11-of-32 attempst from three-point range.

The Bombers return to competition Saturday Jan. 31st against fellow Empire 8 opponent Nazareth. Tipoff begins at 2 p.m. at Ben Light Gymnasium.