KEUKA PARK, N.Y. — The Keuka College Women's Basketball team led 38-28 at the half against Penn State Altoona on Saturday, but the Wolves would fall 69-58 in the non-conference matchup.
Mary Cotter (Hershey, Pa. / Hershey) led in points for Keuka College (1-8, 0-1 Empire 8) with 15 on Saturday. First-year Meghan Ellis (Cobleskill, N.Y. / Cobleskill-Richmondville) recorded her first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Wolves.
Penn State Altoona 69 at Keuka College 58
Quick passing getting the ball up the floor gave Keuka its opening basket as Sydney Brown (Lowville, N.Y. / Lowville Academy) found Ellen Lavonas (Rochester, N.Y. / Brighton) for the layup. The Wolves took the lead in the first and widened it as Brown found Meghan Ellis for the jumper. Ellis then capped the quarter for the Wolves, hitting a long two-point shot at the buzzer as the Wolves led 15-11.
Penn State Altoona hit an opening three to cut it to one, but Sydney Brown answered right back with a three of her own. That was followed by a three by Mary Cotter as the Wolves opened a seven-point advantage. Cotter was not done as the sophomore hit three threes in the second quarter. Keuka extended the lead to double digits on a three by Sydney Brown. The Wolves led by 10 at the half, 38-28.
It was a disjointed start for both teams to start the second half. The Lions scored the first six points to cut into Keuka's lead. Mary Cotter hit a step-back jumper at the top of the key to give the Wolves their first points of the second half. Keuka College continued to play with the lead despite the advances by the Lions. Sophia Babcock (Oswego, N.Y. / Oswego) pushed the lead to nine, 48-39, with 2:13 left in the third. However, Altoona closed the frame with six unanswered. Keuka's lead was down to three going into the final quarter.
Off the opening possession, the Lions hit a three to push their run to nine and tie the game at 48-48. Sophia Babcock found Meghan Ellis in the paint for a layup as Keuka regained their lead, but Altoona answered back to take the lead for themselves. The Lions led 54-50 with six minutes to go in regulation. Keuka College tied it up on the hustle of Katie Deatherage (Canandaigua, N.Y. / Marcus Whitman). The junior won a jump ball offense rebound on the floor to keep possession with the Wolves. Caiden Crego (Lyons, N.Y. / Lyons) then found Deatherage on the in-bounds play for the easy layup to tie the game at 54-54. Altoona responded with eight straight to take control of the game. Katie Deatherage added a layup with two minutes to play, but it would be as close as the Wolves would get it. Penn State Altoona extended their lead late to defeat Keuka College 69-58.
KC Notes:
- Saturday was just the second-ever meeting between the two schools in women's basketball. The Lions have won both of the games
- Ellis's double-double was the first of the season for Keuka College
- Keuka College held a 48-43 advantage in rebounding. After Ellis, Mary Cotter tied her career-high with seven rebounds
- Sydney Brown hit a pair of threes for the Wolves. The senior becomes the eighth player in program history to make 100 threes in her career
Up Next for Keuka College: The Wolves are now on break for the holiday season. The Green and Gold will return to action in 2024 with a tough Empire 8 test right off the bat. Keuka College will host Hartwick College on Friday, January 5, 2024. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. at the JMW Recreation and Athletics Center.