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ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Visiting Ithaca used a 27-5 scoring run through the first half of the opening period in Friday's Empire 8 Conference game to take control of the contest, and the Bombers went on to the 58-42 victory. Nazareth senior Brittany Wilson had a team-high 10 points. The Golden Flyers allowed the Bombers just two free throws in the final six minutes, but Nazareth was unable to overcome Ithaca's initial lead.

Following the loss, the Golden Flyers drop to 11-9 overall and 4-6 in Empire 8 contests. Nazareth is currently in a tie for fifth place with Elmira in the conference standings. The Golden Flyers trail fourth-place Stevens by just one game after Elmira edged Stevens in their Friday-night game. With four Empire 8 games remaining, the top four teams in the conference qualify for for the conference tournament. Nazareth plays three of the four critical games at the Kidera Gymnasium. Nazareth hosts Utica Saturday afternoon in its next contest. The Golden Flyers host Stevens on February 11th.

Ithaca surged to a 27-5 lead through the first 9:45 of the first period after shooting about fifty percent from the field to start the game. The Golden Flyers, meanwhile, struggled from the field as they connected on roughly twenty percent of their field goals. Ithaca established its lead with a double-digit advantage in total rebounds. The Bombers were also perfect on their first eight free throws to help them build their early lead. Ithaca finished 13-19 from the charity stripe for the game. Nazareth had just five free throws over the course of the game. The Golden Flyers converted on three of their five opportunities.

Before the end of the first half, Nazareth trimmed its deficit to 11 points, 32-21, following a 16-5 scoring run. Freshman Hannah Runyon capped the run with a three-point basket with just over two minutes to play in the first period. Sophomore Becca Rumschik started the run with two free throws, which was followed by a layup by senior Brittany TallChief. The Golden Flyers scored seven straight points on two jumpers by Wilson sandwiched around a three by senior Katie Kollar. Ithaca scored the final basket of the period to claim a 34-21 lead at the break.

In the second half, the Bombers rebuilt their 20-point advantage by scoring 13 of the period's first 19 points before Nazareth's defense shut Ithaca's offense down in the final quarter of the half. The Golden Flyers closed the game with six of the final eight points. After Ithaca's Elisabeth Conti connected on shot from beyond the arc with 6:21 to play in regulation, the Golden Flyers' defense held the Bombers without a field goal and only two free throws. Nazareth forced Ithaca into committing seven turnovers, including three in a span of 57 seconds. The Golden Flyers also forced Ithaca into three missed shots during the run.

In addition to the points from Wilson, Kollar and Rumschik finished with six points apiece. Seniors Erica Shaw and Ashley Gallagher each chipped in four points, too. TallChief finished with a team-high six rebounds.

Jessica Farley tallied a game-high 17 points for the Bombers. Kathryn Campbell added 10 points. Jenn Escobido collected a game-high nine rebounds. Ithaca finished the game with a 46-35 advantage on the glass.