A combined 213 points were scored and when it was all said and done RIT landed the last blow as the Tigers defeated host Utica College 110-103 in Empire 8 Conference action on the hardwood at the Clark Athletic Center Friday night. The contest featured 17 lead changes, including 13 lead changes in the second half, and the score was tied on nine different occasions. Utica junior guard James Patterson hit several key shots down the stretch to send the contest into overtime where the Tigers eventually pulled away. Patterson finished the day with a game-high 28 points.

The Pioneers shot 5-of-6 from the floor in the final 51 seconds of regulation, capped by a Patterson lay-up with four seconds to go, to send the contest into overtime with the score knotted at 92-92.

In overtime, the Tigers were able to outscore the Pioneers 13-7 in the final 3:41 to earn the seven point victory. RIT shot 6-for-6 from the charity stripe and 3-for-3 from the floor in the final 3:41 to seal the win.

RIT improved to 7-10 overall and 3-5 in conference play, while the Pioneers dropped to 6-11 and 1-7 in the E8.

Utica led for the majority of the first half and extended its lead to as many as 13 points midway through the first half after a 21-7 run resulted in a 23-10 advantage for the Pioneers. RIT answered with a 17-6 run to cut the Pioneer lead to just two points, 29-27, with 6:22 to go in the first half of play. The remaining six minutes was a back and forth battle and the Pioneers took a three point lead, 41-38, into the locker room at half time.

The contest really heated up in the second half and seven lead changes occurred within the first 5:31. RIT was able to hang onto the lead for a span of 7:28 until junior forward Will Abrams knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Pioneers a one point advantage, 74-73, with 5:46 to go in regulation.

The Tigers used a 6-0 run in a span of 1:08 late in the contest to take a five point lead, 86-81, with 59 seconds left in the game. That is when the Pioneers turned it on and Patterson knocked down the dribble-drive lay in with four seconds to go to send the contest to overtime.

Will Abrams finished the contest with 26 points and six rebounds, while senior forward Pat Goodman added 13 points and five rebounds. Sophomore transfer Evan Taylor added 13 points off the bench for UC.

Five different players scored in double figures for RIT including Anthony Terry (27), Scott Young (25), Brendan Harder (19), Marcus Lowe (17) and Darryl Anderson (11). Harder added a game-high 12 rebounds for the Tigers.

Utica returns to action on Saturday when they travel to Elmira for an Empire 8 Conference contest at 4 p.m.

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