The Keuka College men’s basketball team picked up a 73–62 home win over Alfred University on Saturday afternoon in an Empire 8 matchup at the JMW Recreation and Athletics Center.
Lamar Lovelace (Rochester, NY/Northeast College Prep) paced Keuka (8–12, 5–6 Empire 8) with 24 points, adding eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Akinlana Popoola (Cleveland, OH/Padua Franciscan) scored 16 points and shot 4-for-8 from beyond the arc. Kaleb Nutifafa (Elmsford, NY/Alexander Hamilton) contributed nine points, while Quinn VanKerkhove (Irondequoit, NY/Irondequoit) finished with seven points and five assists. Makya Morrison (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta) chipped in seven rebounds and two blocks.
Keuka seized control early, opening the game on a 10–0 run behind crisp ball movement and hot perimeter shooting. Morrison got the scoring started with a jumper in the paint, and Popoola followed with back-to-back three-pointers, including a fast-break triple that prompted an early Alfred timeout. Nutifafa added a basket inside, while Lovelace directed the offense and set up multiple early scores.
The Wolves stretched their lead to 13 midway through the first half as Lovelace and Popoola continued to connect from long range. Alfred chipped away with outside shooting, using a string of three-pointers to trim the deficit. Keuka answered with timely baskets, including another three from Lovelace, but the Saxons closed the half on a strong note. A buzzer-beating three gave Alfred a narrow 32–29 edge at the break.
Keuka responded quickly to start the second half. Lovelace knocked down a jumper to cut the lead to one, and Popoola scored five straight points in transition to put the Wolves back in front. Keuka’s defense created turnovers that led to easy scoring chances. Morrison threw down a dunk in traffic, and Lovelace added consecutive baskets in the paint to push the lead into double digits.
Alfred made a push midway through the half, closing the gap with strong interior play, but the Wolves countered each rally. Nutifafa delivered at the free-throw line, and VanKerkhove buried a key three-pointer late to extend the advantage. Down the stretch, Keuka stayed composed, converting free throws and capitalizing on fast-break opportunities. Lovelace capped the effort with a transition dunk as the Wolves pulled away for the 73–62 conference victory.
KC Notes:
- Keuka outscored Alfred 44–30 in the second half
- The 11-point win marked the Wolves’ largest victory margin over Alfred
- Keuka recorded 22 fast-break points compared to three for Alfred
- The Wolves held Alfred to 32 percent shooting in the second half
- Keuka owned a 38–34 rebounding edge
- Keuka forced 11 turnovers and scored 15 points off those miscues
Up Next:
Keuka hits the road Friday for an Empire 8 game at Hartwick College. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Oneonta.
