The Keuka College Men’s Basketball team won their final game in 2024, defeating SUNY Morrisville on the road 64-61 in a non-conference game.
Akinlana Popoola (Cleveland, Ohio / Padua Franciscan) led Keuka College (3-5) with 20 points. He added six rebounds and four steals for the Wolves. Will Tehan (Victor, N.Y. / Victor) scored 15 points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
The Mustangs used a small run to build a lead over the Wolves, but Keuka came back behind the hot shooting of Popoola. The junior scored eight of Keuka’s first ten points in the contest. The first three of the year from Makya Morrison (Oneonta, N.Y. / Oneonta) tied the game at 13-13. Marcus Reed (Queens, N.Y. / Our Saviour Lutheran) followed with a three and Morrison capped it with a layup as Keuka led 18-13 midway through the first. Morrisville answered in the second 10 minutes to take the lead over the Wolves. However, Keuka answered, and the game would go to halftime tied 33-33.
The lead would change hands multiple times in the opening minutes in the second half. With the game tied at 42-42, a personal 7-0 run by Akinlana Popoola pushed out the Keuka lad and a three by Marcus Reed gave the Wolves a 10-point advantage with 10 minutes left to play. The Green and Gold would carry the lead into the final minutes. A steal by Ty LaBarge (Cobleskill, N.Y. / Cobleskill-Richmondville) led to a layup by Quinn VanKerkhove (Irondequoit, N.Y. / Irondequoit) to make it 61-52 Keuka with 2:59 left to play. The Mustangs would not go away and cut the Keuka margin to two in the final minute. Morrisville had the ball in the final ten seconds and looked for a quick three, however, LaBarge blocked the attempt from behind and Tehan grabbed the rebound and was fouled. Tehan hit one of two free throws, but the clock expired on the rebound as Keuka College defeated SUNY Morrisville 64-61.
KC Notes:
- Keuka College snapped a six-game losing streak to SUNY Morrisville. The Wolves are now 9-16 all-time against the Mustangs
- It was Keuka’s first win against the Mustangs since the 2017-18 season and first win in Morrisville since the 2014-15 season
- Akinlana Popoola was one off his career high with 20 points. He tied his career mark with six rebounds and set a new career best with four steals
- Popoola now has over 300 points in his collegiate career and has set a new personal best for points in a season in just eight games
- Keuka College was an efficient 7-17 from three, but the Wolves went 13-26 from the free throw line
- The Wolves shared the ball well with eight different players recording an assist
Up Next for Keuka College: The Wolves have a long stretch off during the holiday season. Keuka College will be back in action in 2025 as they begin Empire 8 play and host Russell Sage College on Tuesday, January 7.
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