SELINSGROVE, PA - The Susquehanna University River Hawks were handed their first loss of the season Saturday afternoon, as the Ithaca Bombers defeated the River Hawks 87-56. The Bombers, who are currently receiving votes in the D3hoops.com poll, shot 56.7% from the floor during the game and knocked down 13 of 24 three-point attempts on their way to the third victory of the season.

Howie Rankine was the leading scorer for Susquehanna, as the junior guard scored 17 points, while also securing seven rebounds. Rankine was 7-17 from the floor, while also knocking down two of his four three-point attempts. Rankine was the only scorer in double figures for the River Hawks, as the team struggled offensively against Ithaca, shooting just 31.8% from the floor and 17.4% from three-point territory. 

Susquehanna secured the early lead on their first possession of the game, as Rankine scored on the fast break, through a foul, for a three-point play. After Ithaca tied the game, a Luka Radovich three gave the Bombers a lead they would not relinquish. The River Hawks were able to keep the game close through the first five minutes, but a 12-0 run from Ithaca gave the Bombers an advantage that would not get closer than eight points for the rest of the game. The run coincided with the second personal foul of leading scorer Lukas Yurasits, who would be sent to the bench as Ithaca would build a lead as large as 19 points in the first half of regulation. 

After the 19 point lead from the Bombers, the River Hawks were able to trim the lead down to 10 at halftime, as they finished the half on a 16-7 run. Yurasits and Rankine each had nine points at halftime to lead the way for Susquehanna. The River Hawks shot just 29% from the floor in the first period, as the Bombers switched from zone to man frequently throughout each half of the game, effectively stifling the SU offense. 

As the second half began, Susquehanna still struggled to score the basketball, missing seven of their first ten shots of the half. This allowed Ithaca to build a strong advantage, as they took a 24 point lead with 14:39 left in regulation. The River Hawks would get as close as 16 points after that mark, but ultimately, would struggle to score against Ithaca. On the other side, the Bombers shot 65% from the floor in the second half, connecting on eight of 13 three-point attempts in that time span. 

Radovich was the leading scorer for Ithaca, as he scored 20 points on 7-10 shooting, while Skylar Sinon added 14 points and Logan Wendell added 13 points off the bench. As a team, they had 19 assists on 34 field goals, as they moved the ball exceptionally well against a usually strong River Hawk defense. The Bombers also out-rebounded Susquehanna 43-31 in the afternoon matchup. 

Up Next

• Susquehanna will return to play on Monday, November, 22,  for a matchup with neighbor Lycoming College. The game will begin at 7 p.m. before the team takes a five-day break before Thanksgiving. 

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