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TROY, N.Y. - Ithaca College senior Julie Yacovoni had 11 points, 14 rebounds, nine steals and six assists and junior Meghan Pickell scored 17 points to lead the Bombers to a 67-58 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in a Liberty League contest at East Campus Arena. Ithaca, which is now 14-6 overall, remains in contention for the league championship by improving to 9-4 in the conference. RPI falls to 6-8 in the league and 10-11 overall.

Yacovoni made 5 of 11 shots from the floor and one free throw while pulling down seven offensive rebounds in 36 minutes. Her 14 total boards were a game-high as were her assists and steals. PIckell connected on 7 of 11 shots, including three three-pointers, with four rebounds, an assist and a steal.

The Engineers were led by sophomore Ines Ortea's 13 points, Sam Krumbhaar's 12 and LaKissa Martin's 11. Ortea added four rebounds, two assists and two steals in 15 minutes off the bench. Krumbhaar had a pair of steals and Martin pulled down three rebounds with an assist and a steal. 

Ithaca jumped out to an 11-1 lead with seven points coming from Pickell, but RPI scored six straight and 12 of the next 14 points to tie the score at 13-13 late in the first quarter. Martin and Krumbhaar both had four points in the sequence. Yacovoni followed with back-to-back layups for a 17-13 edge, but Ortea made a pair of free throws to end the quarter.

The Bombers extended their lead by five at the end of the half, 32-25, by connecting on 43.8% (14 of 32) of their attempts. Pickell had 10 first half points and Yaconovi scored six with five assists and four steals. Ortea had a team-high seven on the other end.

Ithaca opened the third on a 9-2 run for a 14-point lead (41-27), but the Engineers scored four straight and 6 of 7 to get within nine points, 42-33, with 3:46 to play. The Bombers put up the next six points and eventually held a 50-37 lead after three quarters. 

After seeing their deficit reach 19 points (63-44) midway through the fourth quarter, the Engineers made an 11-0 run with Elizabeth Eckhardt making a three-pointer, Shaina Iton scoring on a layup and Krumbhaar notching six straight points. RPI trailed by eight (63-55) with two minutes to play, but could get no closer.

Rensselaer, which is tied for the sixth and final playoff spot, returns to the court on Friday night when they travel to Bard College. Ithaca plays at league-leading RIT, who the Bombers trail by two wins, on Friday. Both games begin at 6pm.