ITHACA, N.Y. – Rochester went on a 26-8 run over nine minutes in the second half and rallied for a 68-59 v ictory over previously unbeaten Ithaca College at the Ben Light Gymnasium.
The Bombers battled back to tie at 57-all with 4:09 to play after consecutive three-pointers from Jacqueline Shinnall and Kathryn Campbell.
Maddie Korber made two free throws, then followed with a layup. Danielle McNabb sank a jumper for a 63-57 lead in the closing minutes. After a layup from Ithaca's Jenn Escobido, Rochester made five free throws in the final 36 seconds to nail it down. Jodie Luther made two, Michelle Ketcham sank one, and Laney Ming made two.
Rochester improved to 8-0 overall. Ithaca, which was off to its best start in 14 years, is 6-1.
McNabb scored 13 points and added five steals. Korber scored 12 points. Rochester shook off 31% first half shooting to hit 15 of 28 from the floor in the second half (53.6%). Rochester hit all three of its three-point attempts in the second half and was 13 of 17 from the foul line.
Shinnall led the Bombers with 16 points. Campbell scored 14, and Escobido scored 11.
Ithaca stretched its first half lead to 43-31 5:36 into the second half on a jumper by Shinnall. Luther's layup started a 15-4 run over the next five minutes (part of the 26-8 enlongated burst). Ketcham sank two treys in the run and Ally Zywicki made one.
After Ithaca pushed ahead by three, 49-46, McNabb scored back to back baskets, giving Rochester its first lead since midway through the first half. Kristyn Wright made a jumper, Korber hit three of four from the line, and McNabb made a steal and jumper for a 57-51 lead heading into the last four minutes.
Campbell scored seven points in the final 3:23 of the first half as Ithaca slid in front of Rochester, 28-22, at the break.
The first 20 minutes were tight throughout. Rochester led early, and was up 16-13 before the Bombers went on a 6-0 run, including a three-pointer by Shinnall at 5:47 to take a 19-16 lead.
Wright sank a trey to tie it at 19 and McNabb sank a trey to put Rochester up, 22-21, with 4:27 left in the half.
Rochester hit 31% from the floor in the first half (9-29) and Ithaca hit 36% (9-25). The Bombers had the edge at the foul line, making eight of 10 from the stripe while Rochester sank two of four.
Luther picked up two first half fouls and McNabb was tagged with three.