BROCKPORT, NY - The seventh seeded RIT women's basketball team (3-2) was defeated by No. 2 seed Roberts Wesleyan (2-1) 68-56 in the opening round of the 22nd annual Wendy's College Classic Tournament at the College of Brockport on Tuesday night.

Senior Merissa Maiorano (Rochester, NY/Pittsford Mendon) and sophomore Taylor Burns (Rochester, NY/Greece Odyssey) each had a double-doubles to lead the Tigers. Maiorano had 12 points and 16 rebounds, while Burns scored 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Ashlynn Palmitesso (Fulton, NY/G. Ray Bodley) added 10 points and Jessi Glaz scored eight.

Samantha Courtney led Roberts Wesleyan with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Lucy Covley and Brooke Fields each added 10 points, while Ashley Cianfriglia scored eight points for the Redhawks, who improve to 2-1 on the season.

RIT shot 25.4 percent from the floor on 17-of-67 shooting. The Tigers were 6-of-25 from behind the arc and went 16-of-26 from the foul line.

RIT trailed by 13 early in the first half, but were able to cut the lead and come within one point of the Redhawks with 3:10 left in the opening half. Roberts Wesleyan went on an 8-3 run to take a 32-26 lead into halftime.

The Tigers battled but were not able to come closer than three points from the Redhawks as they led by as much as 16 in the second before going on to a 12-point win.

RIT will face either the College of Brockport or University of Rochester on Thursday, Dec. 4 at the University of Rochester.