Men's Basketball | 12/31/2011 3:08:00 PM

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BUFFALO, NY -- The RIT men's basketball team ended the 2011 calendar year in fine fashion, defeating D'Youville College (3-6) 87-73 on Saturday afternoon. Senior Justin Heisig (Levittown, NY/Island Trees) led a quartet of double-digit scorers for RIT with 18 points and 12 rebounds. The win evens the Tigers record to 4-4 on the season. 

After a close first half, RIT outscored the Spartans 45-30 in the second half. The Tigers pulled away with a 7-0 burst midway through the second half and steadily extended the lead out to double-digits.

The Tigers built a 17 point lead with 2:39 remaining in regulation on a layup by Brendan Harder (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta). The senior center finished with 11 points and had seven rebounds.

RIT shot 51.5 percent from the floor on 35-of-68 shooting. The Tigers made just 4-of-15 three pointers but were sharp from the foul line, making 13-of-16 from the charity stripe.

The Tigers held a 52-37 rebounding edge over D'Youville and scored 42 of their 87 points in the paint. RIT scored 16 points off of 12 Spartans turnivers.

Heisig scored in double digits for the seventh time in eight games this season. The senior forward was 6-of-16 from the floor, but was 6-of-6 from the foul line. Heisig also grabbed a team-best 12 rebounds, dished out four assists and had a steal.

Juniors Gabe Nicasio (Essex Junction, VT/Essex) and Eric Travis (Chicago,IL/Hinsdale South) each had 10 points. Freshman point guard Desmond Scott (Murphy, TX/Plano East) added six points and dished out six assists. 

RIT returns to action on Tuesday, Jan. 3 when the Tigers host the University of Rochester at 7 pm.