ROCHESTER, NY -- The RIT women's basketball team (9-10, 5-5 Liberty League) fell behind in the second half, rallied late, but came up short, losing 86-73 to Vassar College (16-3, 9-1 Liberty League) in Liberty League action from Clark Gym Friday evening.

Ashlynn Palmitesso (Fulton, NY/G. Ray Bodley) led RIT with 22 points, including 17 in the second half. Courtney Tennant (Cortland, NY/Cortland) scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, Jess Kramer (Fayetteville, NY/Jamesville-Dewitt) and Mallory Apperson (Bemus Point, NY/Maple Grove) each had 10 points for the Tigers who shot 36.6 percent from the floor.

The Tigers trailed by as many as 25 points in the second half when Vassar's Nyah Berg scored with 11:54 left, giving the Brewers a 56-31 lead.

RIT extended the pressure to full court, forcing the Brewers to turn the ball over several times. The Tigers outscored Vassar 37-20 over the next 8:47, cutting the Brewers lead to 76-68 on a three pointer by Palmitesso with 2:37 to play in the second half. Palmitesso scored eight straight points in the stretch to get the Tigers back into the game.

Vassar outscored RIT 10-5 over the final 2:37 to secure the win.

Cydni Matsuoka led Vassar with 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Hannah Senftleber scored 21 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, while Nyah Berg scored 11 points off the bench for the Brewers.

RIT returns to action on Saturday, February 8 when the Tigers host Bard College at 2 p.m. on the floor of Clark Gym.