KEUKA PARK, N.Y. – The Keuka College Men's Basketball team nearly overcame an 18-point second half deficit on Saturday, but the Wolves would fall to Morrisville State 57-52 at the JMW Recreation and Athletics Center.
The Wolves (3-15, 3-10 NEAC) conclude their North Eastern Athletic Conference weekend on Sunday as they host Cazenovia College at 3pm.
Cameron Winston (Freeport, N.Y. / Pomfret School) once again led the Wolves with 17 points. He also added a team-high four assists. Winston was joined in double figures by freshman Matthew Purcell (Jamesville, N.Y. / Christian Brothers Academy). The freshman guard set a new career-high with 10 points for the wolves. Dylan Doupe (Phoenix, N.Y. / John C. Birdlebough) led Keuka College with seven rebounds.
Morrisville State scored on their first three possessions for an early lead. Keuka College responded with 12 unanswered points to take a 12-6 lead five minutes into the game. Keuka took advantage of second chances on the offensive end and attacked the glass. Overall, Keuka out-rebounded Morrisville 8-1 in the first five minutes of play. On the other end of the floor, the Wolves played quality defense and caused the Mustangs to use the full shot clock, including multiple shot clock violations. Morrisville would respond and the game would be played within a possession for most of the half. Morrisville took a 25-23 lead with 3:24 left in the first. Both teams would be held scoreless for the rest of the half as the Mustangs led 25-23 at the break.
The first shot of the second half was a three by Cliff Stevens (Ballston Spa, N.Y. / Ballston Spa). The shot gave Keuka the lead, but Morrisville responded. The Mustangs went on an 11-0 run to take a 10-point lead at 36-26. The run was stopped by a Winston three, but Morrisville continued to grow their lead. The Mustangs led by 18 points, 51-33, with 8:19 left to play. Keuka College continued to fight. The run started with threes by Trevor Powell (Manassas, Va. / Osbourn) and Matthew Purcell. Over a seven minute and thirty second span, Keuka College outscored Morrisville State 19-4 as the Wolves came roaring back to make it a one-possession game at 55-52. Keuka College would foul Morrisville, but the Mustangs missed both free throws with 16 seconds left to play. The Wolves got the ball on the offensive end following a timeout with four seconds on the clock. However Morrisville State stole the inbound pass and was fouled with two seconds left. The Mustangs made both free throws as they would defeat Keuka College 57-52 on Saturday.