ROCHESTER, NY -- The host RIT men's basketball team was defeated by Union College 73-57 in the Liberty League opener for both teams on Saturday afternoon at Clark Gymnasium.

Joe Mason led Union with 20 points and six assists, while Keith Callies added 14 points, while Keven Donohue scored 14 points and had seven rebounds for the Dutchmen who shot 51.9 percent from the floor for the game.

Jameel Balenton led RIT with 17 points, five rebounds and three assists. Eric Travis added 11 points, while Kamron Davis scored nine points and grabbed four rebounds off the bench.

RIT shot 38.2 percent from the floor on 21-of-55 shooting, while making just 5-of-22 three pointers. The Dutchmen held a slight 33-30 rebounding edge and scored 17 points off of 13 RIT turnovers. The Tigers scored 17 points off of 11 Union turnovers.

Trailing 36-20 at halftime, RIT fell behind by as many as 18 points in the second half, but rallied to get the score within 10 points on three separate occasions.

The first came with 9:39 to play when Davis drained two free throws, making the score 52-42 Union. Mason answered right back for the Dutchmen, nailing a three on Union's next possession pushing the lead back to 13 points.

Freshman Eric Seaberry came down and hit a three pointer on RIT's next possession to make it 55-45 Union. Mason answered again for Union, draining a second straight three, pushing the led back to 58-47.

With 6:53 to play, Balenton sank two free throws to make it 58-48 lead for Union. The Dutchmen answered right back on Mason's third straight three pointer to make it a 13-point advantage.

Union (6-1) has the final home game of the 2012 portion of the schedule Tuesday, when the Dutchmen host Utica at 7 p.m. at the Viniar Athletic Center.