ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The RIT men's basketball team picked up its first win of the season by defeating Keuka, 65-58, in non-conference action, Monday evening.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The visiting Wolves led 33-31 at halftime after a back-and-forth first half featuring five ties and 12 lead changes.
- Graduate student forward Josiah Turner scored 11 of his game-high 20 points in the second half, including a clutch three-pointer with 10:45 remaining to give the Tigers a 48-43 lead.
- RIT used a 12-2 run midway through the second half to pull ahead, capped by a layup and free throw from sophomore guard Muhsin Muhammad for a 53-45 advantage.
- First-year forward Nigel Pierman's fast break dunk with 43 seconds left sealed the victory after Keuka cut the deficit to seven.
GAME NOTES
- Turner led RIT with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting, adding six rebounds and a block.
- Muhammad finished with 13 points, four steals, and three blocks.
- Pierman added 11 points and seven rebounds, while Brody Brown chipped in seven points and five boards.
- RIT shot 44.2 percent from the floor (23-for-52) and 63.6 percent from the line (14-for-22).
- The Tigers held Keuka to 32.4 percent shooting and forced 17 turnovers.
- RIT's defense finished the game with nine blocks and 12 steals.
- Keuka's Akinlana Popoola scored 16 points with four steals; Makya Morrison had 10 points and nine rebounds.
- The win puts RIT at 1-2 through three games to start the season.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Tigers finish their three-game homestand on Tuesday (Dec. 2) when they host Brockport at 6 p.m.
