Box | Updated stats
ITHACA, N.Y. -- Host Ithaca raced to an early lead and was never seriously challenged Saturday as the Bombers defeated Nazareth in an Empire 8 Conference women's basketball game, 83-45, at the Ben Light Gymnasium.

Nazareth dropped to 6-7 overall and 2-2 in Empire 8 action. Ithaca improved to 11-2 overall and 3-1 in conference games.

The Bombers scored the first five points of the game on a basket by Erin Ferguson and a three-pointer by Ali Ricchiuti. Then subsequent three-pointers by Jordan Beers and Erin Woop extedned the lead to 11-4 before the game was five minutes old. The Bombers led 22-10 after the first quarter and 50-26 at halftime. The lead continued to expand in the second half and grew to 77-33 in the fourth quarter.

Bright spots for Nazareth included a 15-point, four-rebound effort from senior Sam Sorge, who had a career-high 34 points in Thursday's loss to Utica. Junior Samantha Peebles had 12 points and five assists and went 8-for-8 from the foul line. Freshman Shelby Benjamin pulled down 10 rebounds, which served as game- aand career-highs. In addition, freshman Erica Bradley played 11 minutes, her first action since sustaining an injury more than a month ago.

The Bombers were successful defensively in limiting Nazareth to 13 field goals, including just two three-pointers. Nazareth also committed 29 turnovers with 21 coming off Ithaca steals. Four Ithaca players scored in double figures, led by Meghan Pickell's 13 points.

Nazareth will try to regroup in preparation for a pair of conference home games next weekend. The Golden Flyers host Stevens Friday at 6 p.m. and Hartwick Saturday at 2.