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ITHACA, N.Y. -- Empire 8 Conference leader Ithaca built a double-digit first-half lead against Nazareth Saturday and the Bombers held on for a 70-60 women's basketball victory over the Golden Flyers at Ithaca's Ben Light Gymnasium.

Combined with Friday's 57-point romp over Utica, Ithaca improved to 15-4 overall and 9-1 in the Empire 8. Nazareth, a four-point winner over St. John Fisher Friday, is 10-7 overall and 5-3 in conference games.

Julia Brew led Nazareth with 13 points with a pair of three-point baskets. Junior Lindsey Kelly posted her second straight double-double as she combined 11 points with a game-high 15 rebounds.

Nazareth led briefly early on before Ithaca seized control. A three-pointer by Ali Ricchiuti with 5:50 to go in the half extended the Bombers' lead to 28-21. Another basket by Ricchiuti and a pair of free throws by Keri Steele pushed the lead to 11 points, 33-22, with 2:08 to go.

Nazareth remained resilient and closed the half with an 8-2 scoring run that featured three-point baskets by Hannah Runyon and Brew on the final two possessions as the Golden Flyers drew within five points at the half, 35-30.

Ithaca threatened to pull away for good early in the second half as two baskets by Steele capped a 12-7 scoring run that ended with the Bombers back in front by 10, 47-37, with 14:51 to play.

Nazareth used a 16-6 scoring run of its own -- capped by a pair of free throws and a three-pointer by Brew -- to tie the score at 53-53 with 8:09 to go. Ithaca then scored the next six points to pull away for good. Ally Mnich hit two free throws with 1:04 to go and Samantha Klie buried four more in the closing minute to seal the win for the Bombers.

Nazareth made 21 of 53 shots from the field (39.6 percent) with five three-pointers. Ithaca made 26 of 64 shots with three three-pointers. Despite Kelly's 15 boards, Ithaca enjoyed a 43-36 rebounding edge with Klie and Francesca Cotrupe each grabbing nine. Ricchiuti led all scorers with 17 points, followed by Steele with 16 and Mnich with 11. Junior Sam Sorge added 10 points for Nazareth and junior Veronica Peck had eight points and four assists.

Nazareth is back home Tuesday to host Houghton in Empire 8 Conference play at 6 p.m. Nazareth won the first meeting between the two teams, 64-38, back on Jan. 6.