The Keuka College men’s basketball team dropped a hard-fought 80–73 decision at home Saturday to Buffalo State in non-conference play.
Junior Lamar Lovelace (Rochester, N.Y. / Northeast College Prep) led the Wolves with a game-high 25 points and six rebounds, while Akinlana Popoola (Cleveland, Ohio / Padua Franciscan) added 13 points.
The teams traded leads throughout a competitive first half, featuring nine lead changes and four ties. A late 6–0 run capped by a Lovelace three-pointer gave Keuka a 36–28 advantage at halftime — their largest lead of the game.
Buffalo State caught fire from beyond the arc after the break, hitting four three-pointers in the opening minutes to retake the lead. The Bengals extended their advantage to eight midway through the second half, but Keuka battled back with consecutive threes from Chase Welch (Buffalo, N.Y. / The Park School) to pull within two. Despite several chances, the Wolves couldn’t quite draw even, and Buffalo State held on for the 80–73 win.
Keuka won the rebounding battle 34–32 and got a strong defensive effort from Quinn VanKerkhove (Irondequoit, N.Y. / Irondequoit), who tallied three steals.
The loss drops Keuka to 1–1 on the season and 0–3 all-time against the Bengals.
Up Next: The Wolves hit the road Tuesday to take on Lycoming College in their first away game of the season.
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here
