KEUKA PARK, N.Y. — The Keuka College Men's Basketball team jumped out to an early lead and carried it throughout as the Wolves defeated SUNY ESF 93-57 to open the 2025-26 season.

Senior Akinlana Popoola led Keuka College (1-0) with 17 points and was one of four Wolves in double figures. Lamar Lovelace was one back with 16 points. Quinn VanKerkhove and JT Giannakopoulos added 14 and 13, respectively.

Keuka College 93 vs. SUNY ESF 57
The Wolves jumped out to a fast start as Makya Morrison had a personal 4-0 run in the opening 30 seconds. The sophomore was fouled and made both free throws. Akinlana Popoola then stole the ball and found Morrison for a layup and early lead. The Mighty Oaks kept it close early, but the Wolves started to create separation. 11 unanswered for the Green and Gold pushed the lead out to 14 at 24-10. The Wolves got to the line a lot in the opening frame, going 15-19 from the free throw line. Keuka College led by 15 at the break, 50-35.

The Mighty Oaks cut the lead down to 11 early in the second half, but Kevin Felasco hit a three in transition to make it 57-43. Keuka College put the game away midway through the second. It started with a layup by Lamar Lovelace. The Wolves would hold the Mighty Oaks off the board for the next five and a half minutes. In that time, Keuka would outscore SUNY ESF 19-0 to put the game away. During the run, the Wolves forced four turnovers. Quinn VanKerkhove scored seven in the run, and Giannakopoulos added six. A late steal and layup by Lassana Dior Fofana capped the game for the Wolves as Keuka College defeated SUNY ESF 93-57.

KC Notes:

• Keuka College improves to 3-0 all-time against SUNY ESF. It was the first game in ten years between the Mighty Oaks and the Wolves
• The Wolves have now won their season-opener in back-to-back seasons. The 93 points scored by the Wolves is the most in a season-opening game in program history
• Keuka College shot 45.9% from the floor. Their 34 made field goals are the fourth-most in program history
• The Wolves were +17 on the glass, grabbing 50 rebounds as a team. Kaleb Nutifafa led the Wolves with a game-high 12 rebounds
• Amar Jackson filled the stat sheet for the Wolves. Jackson led the team with five assists and four steals on Friday
• The win was the first at Keuka College for Head Coach Tom Wilk

Up Next for Keuka College: The Wolves have a quick turnaround and are right back on the floor on Saturday as they host Buffalo State at 1 p.m. The Wolves will be looking for revenge against the Bengals as Buffalo State defeated Keuka College 85-73 last season.