SCHENECTADY, NY – The Union College women's basketball team fell to Ithaca today by a score of 52-38. The loss drops Union to 2-9 in Liberty League play, and sets their overall record at 5-12.

Ithaca came out with a fast-paced offense that gave the Bombers a 7-0 lead on Union, at the 8:07 mark in the first quarter.  Jenni Barra scored the first Union basket of the game, lofting the ball high off the glass as she drove in for a layup. Junior guard Nicole Conley had a nice block shortly afterwards, stuffing an Ithaca ball-handler driving into the paint. The Dutchwomen lacked rhythm and timing early on as they ended the first quarter trailing Ithaca by a score of 4-17.
 
While Barra played well, she found herself in early foul trouble as she had three under her belt midway through the second quarter. Ithaca was able to build on its lead, and the half ended with Ithaca up 29-15. A lack of opportunities, due to 15 Union turnovers, were the story of the first half for Union. Union attempted 11 shots compared to Ithaca's 32 during the first half of play.
 
The Dutchwomen's first half points were largely a result of an impressive performance by sophomore forward Elly Vaughan. She led Union in rebounds (five) while blocking a shot and scoring a basket of her own, Conley also contributed three first half blocks.

In the third quarter, Barra was able to cut the Ithaca lead back down to 12. The senior hit a three with time running out on the shot clock and then drained a fade-away jumper that set the score at 23-35 in favor of Ithaca, with 3:58 remaining in the third. Union would end the third quarter trailing by the same amount, and the score settled at 27-39 at the start of the fourth.
 
With 8:23 left in the fourth quarter, Barra dished a quick pass to a wide open Lily Abarbanel who drained a three to get Union within 9 points of the Bombers. Conley was able to score a layup that got the Ithaca lead down to 7 after an assist from Barra, and the score stood at 32-39 with 5 minutes left in the game. Although, some late clutch threes from Ithaca would eventually grant the Bombers the victory as the team sunk two from downtown in the final three minutes of the game.
 
Union takes on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute next week on Feb. 2 for a 6 p.m. (ET) tip off at Robison Gymnasium in Troy, NY.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Union shot an impressive 84.2 percent from the free-throw line, and out-rebounded Ithaca 37-34.
• Conley led Union in rebounds (11), blocks (6), points (9), and efficiency (20.0).
• Barra led Union in points-per-minute with .257, points (9), assists (2), and was second in rebounds with 6 boards.