ITHACA, N.Y. – Three players reached double-figures to lead 14th-ranked Ithaca College to a 69-31 win over Vassar College in the Liberty League Women's Basketball season opener for both teams on Friday evening. The Bombers move to 5-1 overall, while the Brewers are now 2-5 on the young season.

The Brewers opened the scoring in the game as rookie center Bella Tawney drained a layup, but the Bombers offense made itself quickly known, going on a 13-0 run over the next four minutes for a 13-2 advantage. Pacing the way for Ithaca was Camryn Coffey, who nailed a pair of three's adding a pair of free throw makes at the end of the run.

Vassar rookie guard Naiya Kurnik broke up the home team's run at the 3:36 mark with a layup, but the Bombers continued to press and made it a commanding 16-5 lead at the end of the opening frame as Jillian Payne dropped in a three-pointer in the final 13 seconds.

Ithaca opened the second quarter strong, but the Brewers battled back as sophomore guard Tova Gelb dropped in a layup down low, adding a three-pointer at the 5:19 mark to cut the deficit to 18-10. Despite that momentum, the Bombers rebounded with a quick 4-0 run.

Kurnik broke up the run with a nice layup inside with 4:19 to play, but another three from Coffey started an 11-2 scoring stretch for the Bombers to take a 33-14 advantage into halftime.
Third quarter action saw the Bombers open on a 4-0 run, but a strong layup by senior captain Eliza Srinivasan pulled it to a 39-16 margin at the 7:39 mark. Rookie guard Caroline Siekman dropped in a layup as well minutes later to close the gap further, but Coffey once again answered for Ithaca with her 15th points of the contest and a 42-18 lead.

In the fourth quarter, which saw the Bombers enter with a 51-22 lead, the Brewers struggled early with Ithaca taking advantage at the free throw line. Vassar answered with 7:37 to play as sophomore guard Julia Harvey buried a three (53-26). Gelb added a jumper at 5:40 off an assist by sophomore guard Ashley Mostrom, but the Bombers offense proved too strong down the stretch.

Coffey led the way for the Bombers, recording 15 points with five rebounds, adding two assists, two blocks and a steal. Cara Volpe posted 12 points with six boards and two assists, while Hannah Polce added 13 points with two boards, an assist and a block.

For the Brewers, Kurnik recorded eight points with five rebounds, while Gelb chipped in with seven points, two boards and an assist. Rookie Sierra McDermed added a basket and a rebound with two steals on the evening.

The Brewers return to action on Saturday when they travel to Geneva for a 2pm contest against William Smith College.