Men's Basketball | 11/21/2008 9:21:17 PM

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MADISON, NJ - The RIT men's basketball team (0-1) dropped its 2008-09 season opener, falling to St. Joseph's College of Long Island, 82-61 in first action of the Rose City Classic hosted by Drew University on Friday evening.

RIT jumped out to an early lead, but ran into foul trouble.  St. Joseph's took advantage, taking a 42-29 lead into halftime.

RIT struggled from the field throughout, shooting 35 percent.  The Tigers also did not shoot well from the free-throw line, making just 14-of-30 (46.7 percent).

Marcus Lowe (Anchorage, AK/Service), (Anchorage, AK/Service) making his collegiate debut, led RIT with 11 points.  Senior Mark Carson (Voorheesville, NY/Voorheesville) (Voorheesville, NY/Voorheesville) had 10 rebounds and nine points.  Freshman #Brendan Harder (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta)# (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta) grabbed nine boards.

Lowe, #Justin Heisig (Levittown, NY/Island Trees)# (Levittown, NY/Island Trees), Harder, Dan O'Brien (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta) and Clayton Gray (New Windsor, NY/Newburgh Free Academy) (New Windsor, NY/Newbergh Free Academy) all scored their first collegiate points in the loss.

J.J. Walsh led St. Joseph's (1-0) with 26 points and 11 rebounds.  David Acree added 21 points, while Chris Niblock recorded a double-double with 12 rebounds and 11 points.

The Tigers play in the Rose City Classic consolation game on Saturday at 1 p.m.