POTSDAM, NY – The RIT women's basketball team (9-7, 5-2 Liberty League) held on to beat Clarkson University 51-49 (7-8, 2-5 Liberty League) in Liberty League action on Friday evening. RIT has now won three straight and has four victories in its last five games to move into fourth place in the league standings.

Courtney Tennant (Cortland, NY/Cortland) led RIT with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore Ashlynn Palmitesso (Fulton, NY/G. Ray Bodley) added 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Jess Kramer (Fayetteville, NY/Jamesville-Dewitt) tallied five points.

RIT shot a season-low 21.8 percent from the floor on 12-of-55 shooting. The Tigers were 6-of-22 from behind the arc and were 21-of-27 from the foul line. The Tigers held a slim 49-46 rebounding edge over the Golden Knights. RIT trailed by eight points midway through the first half, but rallied, outscoring the Golden Knights 18-12 over the final 11:46 trailing 24-22 at the half.

Palmitesso led RIT with 11 first-half points. Courtney Tennant (Cortland, NY/Cortland) scored two points, but grabbed team-best nine rebounds.

The Tigers opened the second half on an 11-2 run, taking a 33-26 lead on a three-pointer by Kayla Wheeler (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa). Tennant scored eight of RIT's 11 points in the run. Clarkson responded with a 9-2 run, tying the score at 41-41 on a layup by Katelyn Curtis with 6:42 to play in the second half.

A pair of Tennant free throws with 6:42 to play in the second half gave RIT a slim 43-41 lead. Clarkson responded with a quick burst, taking a 44-43 lead on layup by Ashley Loggins with 2:42 to play in regulation. Loggins led Clarkson with 18 points.

Palmitesso answered back on RIT's next possession, laying the ball in with 2:19 to play giving RIT a 45-44 lead. With 1:13 to play in regulation, Clarkson's Cara Manfredi drained a 3-pointer to give Clarkson a 47-45 lead. After a Tigers timeout, Jess Kramer (Fayetteville, NY/Jamesville-Dewitt) came down and drained a three pointer of her own, giving RIT a 48-47 lead with 54 second to play.

Clarkson's Isabella Esposito missed a jumper with 25 seconds to play and Palmitesso grabbed the rebound. After the Clarkson foul, Palmitesso calmly drained two free throws with 20 seconds to play to give the Tigers a 50-47 lead. Loggins made two free throws with nine seconds left to cut the Tigers lead to 50-49. Right off the inbounds, Sydney Frank (Haverford, PA/Friends' Central) was fouled and made one-of-two free throws to give the Tigers a 51-49 lead.

Manfredi had a 3-pointer fall off the rim for Clarkson as the final buzzer sounded.

RIT returns to action on Saturday, February 1 at 2 p.m. at St. Lawrence University.