Key Takeaways
- The RIT men’s basketball team lost to Ithaca, 101-72, on Friday evening
- Ithaca outscored RIT 58-29 in the second half to pull away from a close game at halftime
- Muhsin Muhammad led the Tigers with 21 points, eight rebounds, and four assists
- RIT falls to 4-7 overall and 1-3 in Liberty League play with the loss
- The team’s next game is against Hobart on January 10, 2026, at 4:00 PM
Introduction to the Game
The RIT men’s basketball team faced off against Ithaca on Friday evening, ultimately falling to their opponents by a score of 101-72. Despite a strong start, the Tigers were unable to maintain their lead and were outscored by a significant margin in the second half. The game was marked by a strong performance from Ithaca’s Evan Cabral, who scored a game-high 33 points and added five assists to lead his team to victory.
The Game’s Progression
The visitors, RIT, opened the game on an 11-2 run, with junior guard Zac Ditzel and sophomore guard Muhsin Muhammad contributing to the early lead. The Tigers continued to build on their lead, with junior forward Nolan Smith drilling a three-pointer to give his team a 19-8 advantage midway through the first half. However, Ithaca refused to back down, and the game remained closely contested until halftime, with RIT holding a narrow 45-43 lead. The second half proved to be a different story, as Ithaca erupted for 58 points to pull away from the Tigers.
Turning Point of the Game
The turning point of the game came at the start of the second half, when Ithaca stormed back with a 15-4 run, capped by Matthew Zenker’s fast-break three-pointer. This gave the Bombers a 48-47 lead, and they never looked back. Evan Cabral’s nine consecutive points, including a layup and a pair of free throws, extended Ithaca’s lead to double digits, and the team sealed the win with a dominant final five minutes. During this stretch, the Bombers outscored RIT 23-10, with Cabral’s free throws and Zenker’s late three-pointer proving to be the final nails in the coffin.
Game Statistics and Notable Performances
Muhammad led the Tigers with 21 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while graduate student forward Josiah Turner added 16 points and seven rebounds. Zac Ditzel chipped in 14 points and seven rebounds, but it was not enough to overcome the strong performance from Ithaca. The Bombers shot 52.3 percent overall and hit 15 three-pointers, with Cabral’s 33 points leading the way. RIT, on the other hand, shot 40.6 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from three-point range.
Aftermath and Looking Ahead
The loss drops RIT to 4-7 overall and 1-3 in Liberty League play. Despite the setback, the team will look to bounce back quickly, as they travel to face Hobart in a 4 p.m. contest at Bristol Gym in Geneva on January 10, 2026. The Tigers will need to regroup and refocus in order to come away with a win against their next opponent. With a strong performance from Muhammad and other key players, RIT will look to get back on track and improve their record in the Liberty League.