KEUKA PARK, NY -- The RIT (6-3) men's basketball team opened up the 2014 calendar year with a convincing 68-53 win over Keuka College (4-5) in non-conference action on Wednesday evening.

#Jameel Balenton (Syracuse, NY/Christian Brothers) and JP Reagan (Cortland, NY/Cortland)# led RIT with 17 points apiece, while #Gabe Nicasio (Essex Junction, VT/Essex)# added 11 points. RIT shot 45.2 percent from the floor on 25-of-55 shooting. The TIgers made 6-of-13 three-point field goals and were 12-of-15 from the foul line.

The Tigers opened the game with an 11-0 run and never looked back, leading 34-21 at the half. Balenton led RIT with 11 first-half points, while Nicasio added six points.

Keuka cut the Tigers lead to 34-24 early in the second half, and got it to 37-27 at the 15:05 mark, but a 9-2 run by the Tigers moved the lead back to 46-30 as the Tigers cruised home for the win.

Tyler Hixson led Keuka with 17 points and eight rebounds. Trevor Healey added 14 points, while Casey WIlliams chipped in 10 points and 10 rebounds. Keuka shot 34.0 percent from the floor on 18-of-53 shooting.

The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 7, but was postponed due to extreme cold and inclement weather in the area.

RIT returns to action Tuesday, Jan. 14 when the Tigers face Hobart College in Liberty League action from Bristol Gym on the campus of Hobart College. Tip-off is at 8 p.m.