KEUKA PARK, N.Y. — The Keuka College Men's Basketball team lost at home to Alfred University 73-60 in an Empire 8 Conference game on Friday night.  

Jaden Keasey (Newport News, Va. / Menchville) had a big game for Keuka College (5-6, 1-5 Empire 8) with a career-high 17 points. The junior also tied his career high in rebounding with eight to lead the Wolves. Mason VanDeMortel (Newark, N.Y. / Newark) was also in double figures with 12 points in the loss.

Alfred University 73 at Keuka College 60

It was a slow start by both teams as the game was 8-8 five minutes in. Alfred hit three straight threes to take the lead. Lorenzo Bicknese (Somers, N.Y. / Somers) hit a three of his own to stop the run. Later, Jaden Keasey connected from three to cut the Saxon lead to four, 22-18. The Saxons had the answer once again as Alfred scored 10 unanswered to widen the lead back out. Keuka took a timeout following the final Alfred three with 4:34 left in the half. Out of the timeout, Mason VanDeMortel drove the lane, made the basket, and was fouled. He converted a three-point play to make it 32-21. The Keuka College defense locked down Alfred. The Wolves held the Saxons without a point for the rest of the half. VanDeMortel's play started an 11-0 run for the Wolves to close the first. Camden Banks (Titusville, Fla. / Space Coast) found Will Tehan (Victor, N.Y. / Victor) on the break for the layup as Keuka cut the Alfred lead to three, 32-29, at the half.

The second half started like the first, with the two teams trading baskets in a slower-paced start. A quick 5-0 stretch for Alfred pushed their lead to nine, 46-36, six minutes into the half. Alfred later extended their lead to ten points, but Jaden Keasey broth it back with his second three of the game to make it 49-43 with 11 minutes left to play. Alfred had the ability in the second half to answer any run by the Wolves with a three to push their advantage back out. The Green and Gold cut it down to four, 57-53, with six minutes left following a Kobe Schriver (Hooper, Utah / Roy) three, forcing Alfred into a timeout. The Saxons scored the next five points. The four-point margin following the Schriver basket was as close as Keuka would cut it. Alfred continued on for the 73-60 conference victory.

KC Notes:

• The Wolves fall to 8-17 all-time against Alfred University
• Camden Banks set a new career-high with four assists in his first career start
• Daniel Obunse (Queens, N.Y. / Flushing) hit a three for the Wolves, setting a new personal best for threes in a season
• The difference in the game was from deep. Alfred finished 12-42 from three in the game. Keuka College shot a season-low 20% from distance, going 6-30
• Alijah Ellis (Portsmouth, Va. / Fork Union Military Academy) finished with eight points for the Wolves, giving him 100 on the season

Up Next for Keuka College: The Wolves will look to snap their slide at home tomorrow as Keuka College hosts Elmira College at 4 p.m. at the JMW Recreation and Athletics Center in an Empire 8 Conference game. The Wolves split with the Soaring Eagles last season, including a dramatic victory at home in the final seconds.