HOBOKEN, N.J. – The Ithaca College women's basketball team punched its ticket to the NCAA Division III Championship with a 77-74 victory over Stevens Institute of Technology in the Empire 8 Conference title game inside Canavan Arena on Saturday afternoon. With the win, Ithaca is now 24-3 on the season and extends its winning streak to 13 consecutive contests.

The Bombers will find out at 2:30 p.m. when, where and who they will play for the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament. A link to the NCAA Selection Show can be found here. IC last played in the NCAA Championship as an at-large selection in 2014-15.

This marks the seventh time since 2003-04 that Ithaca has won the Empire 8 title and first since the 2013-14 season.

At the conclusion of Saturday's title showdown, senior Ali Ricchiuti was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament after netting 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting to go along with six rebounds and two assists.

The first quarter was a tight battle throughout all 10 minutes, as neither team led by more than three points. There were nine lead changes and two ties over the opening 5:44 until Stevens took an 11-10 lead and held on for the remaining of the period, and took a slim 15-14 edge to the second quarter.

Ithaca jumped back in front 1:33 into the second stanza on a jumper by sophomore Sara Jackson to make the score 18-17. By the 6:43 mark, the Bombers were up by five points at 26-21 on a 3-pointer by junior Jordan Beers. Stevens scored the next five points to tie the game up at 26-26, but Ithaca answered with five straight (four from Ricchiuti) on their end to over a 1:48 stretch. The Ducks connected on a three with 1:43 to play, but a layup by freshman Cassidy O'Malley and a 3-pointer from junior Julie Yacovoni staked Ithaca to a 36-29 lead with 17 seconds left. Stevens scored the final point of the half on a free throw.

Out of intermission, the Ducks scored two quick buckets to pull to within two points at 36-34, and then the conference foes would trade baskets over the next seven possessions. With the score now 44-40 in favor of the Bombers, junior Erin Woop hit a 3-pointer to put Ithaca up by a 47-40 margin with 5:19 left in the quarter. Back-to-back layups from Ricchiuti ensued to give the Bombers an 11-point edge, 51-40, with 4:04 to go. Stevens snapped the run at the 3:49 mark, but Ithaca's lead was pushed out the 15 (60-45) on a three-ball from Beers with 1:01 left. The Ducks ended the period with three makes at the line to get to within a 60-48 spread heading to the final quarter of play.

The Bombers held their double-digit until Stevens cut it to a nine-point spread at 65-56 with 6:51 left in the game. Stevens then pulled to within five at 65-60 at the 5:42 mark, but Ithaca used a 10-2 run over the next 2:14 to go back up by 12 points at 74-62. Ricchiuti highlighted the run with a pair of 3-pointers and Yacovoni scored the other four.

After that, Ithaca struggled at the free throw line which allowed Stevens to come all the way back to a 77-74 difference after a layup with two seconds left. The Ducks were fouled on the make and intentionally missed the free throw. A last-ditch 3-pointer didn't fall and the Bombers came away with the conference title.

Yacovoni netted 16 points on a near perfect afternoon from the floor, going 6-for-7 with seven rebounds and two assists. Beers added 11 points, eight rebounds and three assists in the win.

Senior Erin Ferguson chipped in eight points, seven rebounds and three steals. Woop and O'Malley both tallied five points, while sophomore Annie Giannone notched four points, three rebounds and three assists.

The Bombers shot 44.8-percent in the game (30-for-67) and forced 22 turnovers. Ithaca also made six 3-pointers, but went 11-for-26 at the free throw line.

A full release on the Selection Show, and information on the upcoming championship, will be posted shortly after the field is announced on Monday afternoon.