Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Junior Leslie Havens scored a game-best 18 points to lead the RIT women's basketball team to a come-from-behind, 71-66, victory over Rensselaer in the Liberty League opener  for both schools. With the win, the Tigers improve to 5-5 overall (1-0 Liberty), while the Engineers drop to 6-4 (0-1 Liberty).
 
Despite jumping out to an early 8-0 lead, the Tigers found themselves trailing 19-18 at the midway point of the first half. A three-pointer by senior Katie Hansan (McLean, VA/Langley) capped the RPI run with a three-pointer at 9:58.
 
Hansan then kept the Engineers in front with a pair of lay-ups as Rensselaer held onto a shallow lead for the remainder of the first half. A three by sophomore Kelly Piotrowski (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont Senior) and a bucket by freshman Katie Sousa (Hopkinton, MA/Hopkinton) put the Engineers ahead 39-34 at the break.
 
RIT kept Rensselaer in striking distance early on the second half, pulling to within two on a several occasions before a Kayla Wheeler (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) score tied the game at 46-all with 14:22 remaining. Fouled on the play, Wheeler hit the ensuing free-throw to give the visitors a one point advantage.
 
The Engineers quickly regained the lead and expanded it to as many as six points (56-50) on a jumper by freshman Bailei Tetrault (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes) with 10:52 left in the second half. An 8-2 Tigers run, which was capped by a Wheeler hoop, knotted the score at 58-58 with just over seven minutes to play.
 
After trading baskets for the next six minutes, before a pair of free throws by RIT junior Jackie Hom (Newton, MA/Newton South) put the visitors up three (69-66) with 16 seconds on the clock. Two more from the line by sophomore Courtney Tennant (Cortland, NY/Cortland) sealed the victory for the Tigers.
 
Piotrowski finished with 17 points and seven rebounds to lead the Engineers, while connecting on 3 of 5 three-point attempts. Hansan add 14 points, while freshman Jen Rock (Byfield, MA/Triton Regional) had eight.
 
Pacing RIT was Havens (Wayland, NY/Wayland-Cohocton) with 19 points and five rebounds. Wheeler ended up with 15 points and 10 boards.
 
The Engineers return to the court tomorrow afternoon, when they host St. Lawrence at East Campus Arena (2pm). RIT travels to Saratoga Springs to face Skidmore (2pm).