SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College women's basketball team struggled offensively against an Ithaca College squad that is ranked 24th in the latest WBCA Div. III National Poll, falling by a 56-38 score in Liberty League action on Friday night at the Viniar Athletic Center.
 
Union (6-3, 1-2 Liberty League) had its hands full against the Bombers on the night, shooting just 28.6 percent (16 of 56) from the field and turning the ball over 22 times. But the Dutchwomen did not make things easy on Ithaca (8-2, 3-0 Liberty League), limiting the visitors to 37.3 percent (22 of 59) shooting and forcing them into a season-high 21 turnovers.
 
The first quarter was a defensive stalemate, as the teams combined for two points each over the first five-plus minutes. Union held a 6-5 lead with 3:37 to go after a jumper from junior Elly Vaughan, but the Bombers finished the frame on a 9-2 run to take a 14-8 lead into the second.
 
The home team hung with Ithaca again in the second stanza, getting with two at 19-17 with 3:34 remaining following a pair of free throws from freshman Amber Raisner. But again Ithaca closed well to increase its advantage, scoring the final five points to lead 24-17 at the half.
 
The Dutchwomen matched the Bombers 15-15 in the third quarter to remain close and then got within five on multiple occasions in the fourth frame. However, the offense dried up after that, with Ithaca closing the game on a 13-0 run over the final 7:15 to make the final margin much larger than the play would indicate.
 
Vaughan led Union with 11 points and six rebounds in 24 minutes of action, followed by senior Nicole Conley with nine points and six boards.
 
Union will get right back into Liberty League play tomorrow, when the Dutchwomen host Skidmore College for a 2 p.m. tipoff at the Viniar Athletic Center.