Men's Basketball | 12/10/2010 8:47:42 PM

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ROCHESTER, NY -- The RIT men's basketball team defeated Elmira College 68-63 in Empire 8 action on Friday evening. The Tigers improve to 2-4 overall and 1-0 in the Empire 8.

The Tigers led by as many as 19 points in the first half, led by only eight at the half and fell behind by three early in the second half before rallying to win their first conference game of the season.

Four players scored in double figures for the TIgers led by Justin Heisig (Levittown, NY/Island Trees) who scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

Brendan Harder (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta) and Shawn Roe (Corning, NY/Corning East) each had 14 points, while Anthony Terry (Rochester, NY/Bishop Kearney) added 10 points for the Tigers.

RIT shot 52% for the game and were 3-for-17 from three-point land. The TIgers held a 30-29 rebounding edge while committing 21 turnovers.

Elmira opened the second half on a 13-0 run, taking a three-point lead on a three pointer by senior Bobby DiPiazza who finished with 17 points for the Soaring Eagles including 12 points in the second half.

After trailing early in the second half, RIT came back and outscored the Soaring Eagles 18-10 in a nine minute span, opening a 10-point lead on a pair of free throws by Marcus Lowe (Anchorage, AK/Service) with :44 seconds to play.

RIT jumped out to a 13-point lead early in the first half on a layup by Brendan Harder (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta). He finished the half with 12 points and four rebounds.

The Tigers led by as many as 19 points, before the Soaring Eagles went on an 18-7 run to cut RIT's lead to six points, trailing by only eight at the half.

RIT shot 50% from the floor on 15-of-30 shooting. Justin Heisig (Levittown, NY/Island Trees) scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds for RIT.

The Tigers are off until next Friday, December 17 when they host the Harold J. Brodie Tournament. RIT will face Waynesburg at 8 pm. Mt. Aloysius will play Montclair State at 6 pm.