ROCHESTER, NY -- Union's
Madeline Granato banked home a three-pointer with eight seconds remaining in regulation that broke a 57-57 tie and proved to be the game winner in a 60-57 win at RIT's Clark Gym. Union is 4-3 overall after winning the Liberty League opener while the Tigers fell to 4-3 in their league opener.
Granato took a pass from
Kelsey McDonald with eight seconds to play, fired a three-pointer that banked off the backboard and in giving the Dutchwomen a 60-57 lead. After a RIT timeout, the Tigers had a play set up to try and get a shot off to tie. But, the Tigers could not get a clean look as time ran out.
Amy Loya led Union with 16 points, while
Shayla Madden added 14 points and seven rebounds for the Dutchwomen. Union shot 39% and had a 44-35 rebounding advantage.
Leslie Havens led RIT with 18 points. Jess Kramer chipped in 12 points, while Kayla Wheeler and Courtney Tennant each had eight points for the Tigers.
RIT led by as many as eight points in the first half, leading 40-36 at the break. The Tigers shot 51.5 percent from the floor in the first half and were 4-of-6 from behind the arc. Havens led RIT with 14 first-half points, while Kramer scored 12. Ashlynn Palmitesso came off the bench and scored six points for RIT on two three pointers. The Tigers went cold in the second half, shooting just 23.1 percent from the floor.
Kate Thompson gave Union their first lead of the game at the 16:40 mark of the second half on a layup. She finished with 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
Trailing 52-49, RIT went on a 7-0 mini-run, taking a four point lead on jumper by Wheeler with 7:16 to play giving RIT a 56-52 lead. Jackie Hom's free thow with 3:27 to play in regulation tied the score at 57-57. RIT had some good chances to take the lead inside the final 3:27, but could not convert. Tennant missed a layup attempt with :37 seconds remaining, but the ball rolled over the top of the rim and off.
Union is at William Smith Saturday.