KEUKA PARK, N.Y. — The Keuka College Men's Basketball team lost 73-70 to Hartwick College in an Empire 8 Conference game on Saturday afternoon.

Devin Milton led all scorers with 22 points. Jaden Keasey and Mason VanDeMortel each added 12 points for Keuka College (7-9, 3-8 Empire 8).

Hartwick College 73 at Keuka College 70
Hartwick College opened hot from the floor, making their first three shots of the game to stake an early 8-2 advantage. The Wolves battled back, drawing it to a three-point game, 16-13, following a three by Mason VanDeMortel. The Hawks answered right back, however, with a three of their own forcing Keuka to use a timeout. Following the break, the Wolves continued to attack with VanDeMortel knocking in another three. The Keuka College defense got a steal and Devin Milton found Isaac McIlroy for the fast-break layup to tie the game at 25-25. The Hawks regained their lead but the Wolves kept the margin close. Keion Brooks hit a three for the Wolves to give Keuka College their first lead, 33-32, with 1:24 left in the half. Hartwick regained the lead, but a free throw for the Wolves tied it at 34-34 as the was level at the half.

The lead pinged between both teams early in the second half. Keion Brooks hit a three in transition to give Keuka a 43-41 advantage. However, Hartwick responded with eight straight to regain the lead. The Wolves would cut back into the margin. Daniel Obunse made a three to make it a one-point game, 49-48, but the Hawks responded with a three of their own. Hartwick relied on the deep ball throughout the game and always had an answer for the Wolves. Keuka got the lead back to one at 69-68 following a Mason VanDeMortel three with 2:36 left to play. Both teams would miss threes. Hartwick made a pair of free throws to take a 71-68 lead into the final minute. The Wolves missed an opportunity with 53 seconds left but got a defensive stop and the ball back with 17 seconds left. Before the Wolves were able to get a shot off, Jaden Keasey was fouled with five seconds left to play. It was a one-and-one for Keuka, still trailing by three. Keasey made both free throws and the Wolves fouled Hartwick. The Hawks would make both as well to regain the three-point lead. Keuka was unable to get a three in the final four seconds as the Wolves fell to the Hawks 73-70.

KC Notes:

• Keuka drops to 1-12 all-time against Hartwick College
• The Wolves are 0-7 at home against the Hawks, but the games have been close historically with Hartwick pulling out a pair of one-possession and a pair of overtime victories in the series
• Keion Brooks was also in double figures for the Wolves, finishing with 10 points
• Hartwick entered the game averaging 6.8 threes per game, but the Hawks knocked down 14 against the Wolves on Saturday
• Devin Milton continues to climb in the record book. He passed Teddy Tuggles '13 and Kyle Bower '92 and now sits in 12th on the career scoring list
• Milton also moved into eighth on the career list for three-pointers made, steals, and field goals made on Saturday
• The Hawks went 13-14 from the free-throw line. Their 92.9% shooting was the best by a Keuka College opponent in program history

Up Next for Keuka College: The Wolves are back in action this Tuesday, Jan. 31 as Keuka College hosts St. John Fisher University. The Cardinals won the last meeting on their home floor 101-89 earlier this month. The Wolves made a school-record 19 threes in that game. Tipoff from the JMW Recreation and Athletics Center is set for 7:30 p.m.