| 1/29/2003 1:36:09 AM
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CORTLAND, N.Y.—The Rochester Institute of Technology men’s basketball team pulled out the 55-48 victory over the Red Dragons with strong second half shooting. Fran Snyder (Buffalo, NY/Bishop Timon St. Jude) (Buffalo, N.Y.), Empire 8 Rookie of the Week scored a game high 14 for the Tigers.
The Red Dragons proved to be much stronger than their 2-12 record in tonight’s match up. This game marked the tenth meeting of the two teams and the first win for RIT since the 1995-96 season. From the tip Cortland’s Jon Rother (Sodus Point, N.Y.) worked the post causing immediate foul trouble in 6-10 center Jesse Foote (Lockwood, N.Y./Spencer-Van Ettan) (Lockwood, N.Y.). With some adjustments the Tigers settled down and began to execute their offense with Dan Cerro (Union Springs, N.Y.) and Reggie Shore (Amityville, NY/Amityville) (Amityville, N.Y.) at the helm giving RIT the one point lead with 7:40 remaining in the first half. Mike Stanton (Honeoye Falls, N.Y.) paced the team for a three minute scoring run netting six. However Cortland would answer with two 3-pointers and a jumper with 1:14 to give the Red Dragons the 25-22 advantage at the half.
Jumping into the second half Stanton picked up a quick bucket off a pass from Foote to bring the Tigers within two. Cortland’s defense again contained Stanton in the post forcing RIT to rely on the rest of the line up to score. Stantons’ frustrations caused him to get into foul trouble with over six minutes remaining in regulation. Co-captain Nick Panepinto (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Niagara Catholic) (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) came off the bench to spark RIT giving them the 36-34 lead. From this point RIT held the lead until time expired.
Stanton closed out the night with nine while both Foote and John Johnson (Hamburg, N.Y./Frontier Central) (Hamburg, N.Y.) added eight. Cerro dished out three assists and netted six points with Panepinto.
The Tigers will return to action this weekend when they host Hartwick and Utica.
