The Keuka College Men’s Basketball team lost to Alfred University 66-58 in an Empire 8 Conference game at home on Friday night at the JMW Recreation and Athletics Center.
Keuka College (6-14, 3-9 Empire 8) was led by Akinlana Popoola (Cleveland, Ohio / Padua Franciscan) with 16 points and Amar Jackson (Brooklyn, N.Y. / Frederick Douglas Academy) with 14 points. Jackson also led the Wolves with six rebounds.
Keuka College jumped out to an early seven-point lead on Friday, leading 11-4 over the Saxons five minutes into the game. The Green and Gold pushed their lead out to 11 points with nine minutes remaining in the opening half. It was their largest lead of the game. The Saxons scored eight straight to make it a one-possession game, but Popoola quickly responded with a jumper for the Wolves. Alfred had an answer of their own with seven unanswered to take a two-point lead, 26-24, with 4:12 remaining in the half. Amar Jackson tied the game with a layup and Jaden Keasey (Newport News, Va. / Menchville) followed with a three-point play to give the Wolves the lead. The Wolves continued to attack as they outscored Alfred 11-0 over the final four minutes of the half to lead 35-26 at the break.
Alfred University used the halftime break to regroup and came out hot in the second half. The Saxons would go 8-12 from three in the final 20 minutes. Alfred would take the lead in the half, but Keasey found Popoola for a layup to tie the game at 44-44 with 11 minutes left to play. Alfred responded with a three, a four-point play, and a layup to take control of the game. The Saxons outscored Keuka 40-23 in the half to secure the 66-58 victory.
KC Notes:
- Keuka College is now 8-22 all-time against Alfred University
- Akinlana Popoola surpassed 300 points for the season
- Popoola also led the Wolves with five assists, giving him 100 in his collegiate career
- The Wolves had nine steals in the game. Keuka did a good job converting Alfred turnovers into points in the first half, outscoring the Saxons 17-0 in points off turnovers. The game finished with Keuka holding a 22-13 advantage
Up Next for Keuka College: The Wolves are back on their home court on Saturday afternoon. Keuka College will host Houghton University at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The Highlanders edged the Wolves 84-81 earlier in the season at Houghton.
