ROCHESTER, NY — The RIT women's basketball team (9-5, 2-4 Liberty League) fell 66-64 in a tight battle at home against Rensselaer (6-9, 1-5 Liberty League) Saturday afternoon at Clark Gym.
 
Ashlynn Palmitesso (Fulton, NY/G. Ray Bodley) led all scorers with 25 points, including five made 3-pointers and 9-for-19 shooting from the floor. Cori Okada (Fullerton, CA/Troy) added 13 points, along with four rebounds and four assists. Abby Judd (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Sutherland) continued where she left off on Friday, adding nine points and four rebounds Saturday. Taylor Burns (Rochester, NY/Greece Odyssey) also chipped in with seven boards and six points.
 
The Engineers had four players in double figures. Shaina Iton led the way with 14 points to go with a game-high 19 rebounds. Lauren Young also added a team-best 15 points. Elizabeth Eckhardt (12 points) and Ines Ortea (11 points) also helped out the RPI offense.
 
The first half was highlighted with plenty of back and forth play. Palmitesso started hot, scoring seven points and adding an assist in the game's first seven minutes. Rensselaer led  23-18 after one quarter, but the Tigers cut into that quick in the second quarter. RIT out-scored Rensselaer 14-12 in the second quarter, and entered halftime trailing 35-32. Palmitesso and Lauren Young of RPI led both teams with 12 points each in the opening half.
 
The Tigers, led by Palmitesso's 13 second half points, heated up after halftime, taking a 54-51 lead into the final quarter. The Tigers could not increase their lead past four in the fourth, and then the Engineers caught fire and took a 63-62 lead with 4:11 left. Neither team would score for the next 3:13, until two free throws by Judd gave RIT the 64-63 edge with 58 seconds left. RPI scored once more, taking the lead, with 15 seconds left, and the Tigers failed to score on the ensuing possession.
 
The Tigers will return to action next week for non-league action at SUNY Geneseo on Jan. 17, before traveling to take on St. Lawrence on Jan. 20.