ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The RIT men's basketball team dropped its season opener, falling to Nazareth, 56-53, Tuesday evening. With the game tied in the final seconds, Nazareth's Solomon McFarlane sank a buzzer-beating three-pointer from near mid-court to seal the win for the Golden Flyers.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- RIT took its first lead of the game in the second half when first-year forward Nigel Pierman made a layup, giving the Tigers a 30-28 advantage over Nazareth.
- The Tigers' largest lead came with 5:20 remaining when sophomore guard Danny Cohen made a driving layup to put RIT up by five points, 48-43.
- With the score tied 53-53, Nazareth missed a jumper with six seconds left, but McFarlane stole the ball with two seconds remaining and launched the game-winner as time expired.
GAME NOTES
- Pierman led the Tigers with 12 points after going 5-of-9 from the field. The newcomer also grabbed five rebounds.
- RIT held a 42-to-36 rebounding advantage and totaled six blocks, including three by graduate student forward Josiah Turner.
- The game featured seven ties and six lead changes.
- RIT shot 37.3 percent from the field (19-of-51) and 27.8 percent from three-point range (5-of-18).
- RIT's bench outscored Nazareth's, 30-to-10.
WHAT'S NEXT
RIT stays on the road this week when the team heads west down the Thruway to face Division I opponent Buffalo, on Saturday (Nov. 15). Game time is scheduled for 11 a.m.
