ONEONTA, N.Y. — The Keuka College Men's Basketball team lost their conference-opening game at Hartwick College 80-61 on Friday night.

Alijah Ellis and Will Tehan led Keuka College (2-2, 0-1 Empire 8) with 13 points apiece against Hartwick.

Hartwick College 80 vs. Keuka College 61
Baskets were falling early in Oneonta. Devin Milton knocked down the first shot of a game, a three, but that was answered by a Hartwick three. Mason VanDeMortel followed with a three, but it was again answered. The Wolves would make their first five shots of the game, capped by an Ezeke Pulliam three to make it 13-8 and force Hartwick into a timeout. The Hawks responded to tie the game at 16-16 and hit a three with 14 minutes left in the half to take a lead as Keuka took a timeout. Will Tehan retied the game at 21-21 with a layup, but Keuka's shooting would go cold. The Wolves were held without a basket for five minutes. During that time, Hartwick scored 12 unanswered to build a lead over Keuka. A basket by Alijah Ellis snapped the Hawks' run. Hartwick continued to attack the Wolves. They closed the final six minutes of the half with a 17-6 stretch to lead Keuka 50-29 at the half.

After the hot shooting start to the first half, it would take over two minutes for either team to score to start the second. Hartwick made the first basket with a three but Lorenzo Bicknese followed with a three of his own on the ensuing possession. Hartwick would maintain a 20-point lead for the majority of the half. It dipped below 20 as Alijah Ellis hit a jumper in the lane to cap a 6-0 run, but the game was in hand for Hartwick. The hosts continued on to defeat the Wolves 80-61 on Friday.

KC Notes:

• The Wolves dropped their seventh straight to Hartwick College and are 1-11 all-time against the Hawks.
• The Hawks had a 46-28 rebounding advantage over the Wolves
• Jaden Keasey led the Wolves and set a new career-high with seven rebounds

Up Next for Keuka College: The road trip to start the Empire 8 Conference season continues for the Wolves on Saturday as they head to Albany, N.Y. to face Russell Sage College. The Wolves and Gators have split their four previous games with the home team winning in each of the games.