The Keuka College Men’s Basketball team lost an Empire 8 game at Houghton University 84-81 on Friday night.
Will Tehan (Victor, N.Y. / Victor) and Akinlana Popoola (Cleveland, Ohio / Padua Franciscan) each scored 15 points to lead Keuka College (3-7, 0-2 Empire 8). Marcus Reed (Queens, N.Y. / Our Saviour Lutheran) and Amar Jackson (Brooklyn, N.Y. / Frederick Douglas Academy) were right behind them with 13 points in the loss.
The Highlanders jumped out to an early lead over the Wolves. The hosts led by as many as eight early on, but Keuka was always able to answer back to keep the game within reach. After Houghton pushed the lead to 10, Keuka responded again. A three by Tyler Green (Sackets Harbor, N.Y. / Sackets Harbor) cut the lead to five with 10:48 left in the first. The Highlanders pushed their lead back out and led by seven, 48-41, at the half.
The hosts led by 10 in the early minutes, but the Green and Gold went on a run. Damon Brumfield (Rochester, N.Y. / Irondequoit) hit a jumper and Marcus Reed followed with a fast-break layup. Tyler Green then hit another three as Keuka made it a one-possession game at 59-56. Houghton once again extended their lead, holding a 75-62 advantage with 5:17 left to play. Will Tehan knocked down a three for Keuka. Amar Jackson followed a Houghton bucket with a three of his own. Popoola kept the hot shooting going with another three. Marcus Reed made four straight free throws for the Wolves to make it a five-point game, 80-75, with 1:53 left to play. Following a defensive stop and rebound by Reed, Will Tehan laid the ball in to cut it to three with less than a minute remaining. Houghton went 1-2 from the free throw line and Akinlana Popoola followed with a layup for the Wolves to cut the deficit to two. However, Houghton answered with a layup and Keuka turned the ball over in the final seconds. Keuka scored a bucket in the final second but was never able to get the ball back as the Wolves fell 84-81 on Friday.
KC Notes:
· The Wolves had their five-game winning streak against Houghton snapped. Keuka remains ahead 15-7 in the all-time series
· 13 points was a season-high for Amar Jackson. The sophomore also led the Wolves with seven rebounds
· Akinlana Popoola finished with six assists for the Wolves
· The difference in the game was found at the free throw line. The host Highlanders was +16 in points from the charity stripe. Houghton went 30-36 while Keuka shot 14-21
Up Next for Keuka College: The Wolves remain on the road on Saturday as they play an Empire 8 Conference game at Alfred University.
