ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT (7-7, 1-4 Liberty League) women's basketball team earned its first Liberty League win after defeating William Smith College (1-10, 0-3 Liberty League) 55-52 at Clark Gym on Tuesday evening. The Tigers held the Herons to 10 points over the first 25 minutes of the contest and then held off a furious Herons rally.
 
Ashlynn Palmitesso (Fulton, NY/G. Ray Bodley) led RIT with 16 points and two steals, while Jessi Glaz added 13 points and 10 rebounds. Julia Bender (Webster, NY/Webster Thomas) tallied 11 points and eight rebounds and Merissa Maiorano (Rochester, NY/Pittsford Mendon) grabbed 11 rebounds. Sarah Wolcott (Cohocton, NY/Wayland-Cohocton) added four points and 10 rebounds, seven of which came in the second half.
 
The Tigers shot 27.9 percent from the floor on 17-of-61 shooting. RIT was 6-of-21 from behind the arc and 15-of-23 from the foul line.
 
RIT came out firing in the second half, increasing their lead from 14 to 26 points, at 38-12 on a 3-pointer by Palmitesso with 14:02 left in regulation.

The Herons woke up from there, going 8-of-15 from behind the arc, while scoring 40 points over the final 14 minutes to bring the score within reach. The Herons had scored just 10 points over the first 25 minutes of the contest. Ali Pliszka of William Smith hit a 3-pointer with nine seconds left making it a two-point game, 54-52. Palmitesso made 1-of-2 her last time at the line to secure the 55-52 win.
 
RIT took the lead early in the first half and held it the entire game. The Tigers outrebounded the Herons 56-54.

"We got a much needed win in a very competitive conference," said RIT head coach Amy Reed. "Hopefully this Liberty League win will get us back on track and focused."
 
The Tigers return to action on Friday, Jan. 16 against Bard College in Clark Gym at 6 p.m.