ELMIRA, N.Y. — The Keuka College Men's Basketball team defeated Elmira College 70-65 in an Empire 8 Conference game at Elmira College on Saturday afternoon.

Mason VanDeMortel (Newark, N.Y. / Newark) hit six threes and led Keuka College (6-8, 4-3 Empire 8) with 22 points on Saturday. Alijah Ellis (Portsmouth, Va. / Indian River / Fork Union Military Academy) recorded a double-double for the Wolves with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Keuka College 70 at Elmira College 65

The Wolves held an early 9-8 advantage over the Soaring Eagles five minutes into the game. Later, leading 12-10, Keuka College went on an 8-0 run. Alijah Ellis scored the first four points of it and it was capped by a transition layup by Amar Jackson (Brooklyn, N.Y. / Frederick Douglas Academy) forcing Elmira into a timeout. The timeout worked for Elmira as they ended Keuka's run, but the Wolves continued to score. Mason VanDeMortel remained hot from the outside, hitting a three to give the Wolves an 18-point lead with five minutes remaining. Elmira would cut into the lead late and shrink the margin down to single digits. Keuka College was ahead 38-29 at halftime.

The lead for Keuka fluctuated around ten points for the first part of the second half. Elmira cut into the margin with a three to shrink it to six, 54-48, midway through the second half. The Wolves answered on a layup by Will Tehan (Victor, N.Y. / Victor) but the hosts continued to press. Elmira would eventually get it down to a one-possession game with just over a minute left to play. The Wolves remained poised. Alijah Ellis answered back with a layup to make it a five-point game. The two teams traded turnovers and a pair of free throws by Elmira made it a three-point game with 18 seconds remaining. They chose to foul immediately and Ellis sank both of the attempts. The Wolves got the defensive rebound on the other end and saw the game out as Keuka College defeated Elmira College 70-65.

KC Notes:

• Keuka College is now 11-21 all-time against Elmira College. The Wolves earned their first win in Elmira since the 1997-98 season
• Alijah Ellis recorded his second double-double of the season and his career. 16 points tied his career-high. The senior set new career highs with 11 rebounds and also added five assists
• As a team, Keuka College was +2 in rebounding on Saturday
• Mason VanDeMortel joins Christian Sage (Owego, N.Y. / Owego Free Academy) by hitting six threes in a game this season. VanDeMortel now has 123 threes in his career at Keuka College, moving to ninth on the career list
• VanDeMortel also surpassed 500 points and 250 rebounds for his career on Saturday while wearing the Green and Gold

Up Next for Keuka College: The Wolves will look to keep this momentum going as they return to the floor on Thursday night. Keuka College will face Houghton University for the second time this season. The Wolves defeated the Highlanders 93-59 on their home floor earlier this season. Tipoff from Houghton is set for 7:30 p.m.