RIT thwarts TCNJ comeback in opener

EWING >> It was the Rochester Institute of Technology that ended The College of New Jersey’s NCAA hopes last March making a return appearance at Packer Hall.

Could the Lions avenge the loss from last year?

The Lions battled the Tigers all the way, and much like last March a late RIT rally kept TCNJ from gaining control as RIT came away with a 64-51 win in the season opener for the Lions on Friday night.

The College of New Jersey fell behind early and finally pulled to 45-44 with 8:22 left in the game. Then the No. 24 Tigers (3-0) scored five straight, while the Lions could only convert one field goal the next seven minutes.

“We didn’t shoot the ball well,’’ said TCNJ second-year coach Chessie Jackson. “We have some really good 3-point shooters and we knew they were going to zone us. I think some of that first game pressure got to us a little bit.’’

It was a 16-point deficit RIT had to overcome last March and this year they took control right from the start, leading after one, 18-5.

One of the big reasons for the Tigers’ early lead was Tara Lynch. Lynch is a Jersey girl from Green Township and Newton High.

“It’s really nice coming home,’’ said Lynch, who had 15 points and nine rebounds. “We’ve had two nice wins here. We lost a lot of players coming into this year and we knew they’d want to come back and beat us. We came in with a lot of energy and I’m really proud of my team.’’

The Lions, who now hit the road for the next four games, were led by preseason AllAmerica Jen Byrne and Sam Famulare, each with 11 points.

Shannon Devitt, the reigning New Jersey Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year, added nine points and grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds.

Besides Lynch, the Tigers saw Sabrina Wolfe net 19 points and garner 11 rebounds for a double-double. Alyssa Juergens had nine points and 12 rebounds.

“If we can string together four quarters like our third quarter we are going to be good,’’ said Jackson. “That is a good team and we held them to 10 points below their average. We stepped up in a lot of ways.’’

TCNJ started the third period on a 10-0 run and got to 32-29 on a Byrne 3-pointer, but RIT, which never trailed, answered with an 11-2 run to gain control back.

“We knew what we had to do,’’ Lynch said of the TCNJ run. “We had to relax and come out with a lot of energy.’’

They did every time the Lions clawed back into it.

RIT was 14-for-16 from the foul line in the last two minutes to seal the deal and give Lynch another great homecoming.

“I love coming home,’’ said Lynch. “Some of my old classmates go here and my family got to come, so it’s a lot of fun.’’

Twice now Lynch and RIT haven’t made it fun for the Lions, fortunately this November and not March.