GENESEO, N.Y. — The Keuka College Men's Basketball team defeated hosts SUNY Geneseo 55-53 in the semi-finals of the Empire 8 Men's Basketball Championship Tournament.

Keuka College (14-13, 9-7 Empire 8) advances to their first Empire 8 Championship in program history and first conference championship game overall since the 2002-03 season.

Lamar Lovelace led the Wolves with 23 points. Kaleb Nutifafa added nine points and a team-high 10 rebounds.

#7 Keuka College 55 at #3 SUNY Geneseo 53 – Empire 8 Tournament Semi-Finals
The host Knights started strong, making their first two triples, jumping out to an 8-2 advantage. The Wolves cut back into the lead. Lamar Lovelace found Kaleb Nutifafa under the basket as the Green and Gold tied it at 12-12. Keuka College would take the lead as they held SUNY Geneseo scoreless for over six minutes of action. The lead would trade back and forth as the game turned towards halftime. Kevin Felasco hit a three to give the Wolves a 25-22 lead. The Green and Gold remained ahead 27-23 at the half.

The Wolves pushed their lead out to 10 points early in the second half. Lamar Lovelace pulled up and made a deep three. Lovelace then found Quinn VanKerkhove in the corner on the break for a three to give the Wolves a 35-25 advantage five minutes into the half. The momentum continued for the Wolves as Malik Junious-Fuller drove to the rim and was fouled for a three-point play. Geneseo scored nine unanswered to get back into the game as the Wolves took a timeout leading 38-34 with 11:48 remaining. The run extended to 13 as the Knights tied the game with nine minutes remaining. The Wolves came right down the floor and Lovelace pulled up for a jumper to give the Wolves the advantage back. A three by Geneseo gave them a 47-45 lead with five minutes left to play. The Wolves continued to battle. A fadeaway by Lovelace gave the Wolves a four-point lead with 2:33 remaining. Lovelace later found Makya Morrison for a dunk and one. The Wolves extended the lead to six with the flush. Geneseo added points from the free throw line over the final minute to make it a 55-53 game in favor of Keuka with 54 seconds left. Keuka's attempt was off with the ball, but Geneseo missed as well and Keuka was fouled with six seconds left. The Wolves missed the one and one, but Geneseo's final attempt was off as Keuka College defeated the Knights 55-53.

KC Notes:

• It was Keuka College's first win at SUNY Geneseo in program history. The Wolves are 4-14 all-time against the Knights
• The win marks the third time in program history that Keuka College advanced to the conference championship game. The previous two trips were in the North Eastern Athletic Conference in the early 2000s
• Keuka College won the rebounding battle 41-34. Makya Morrison added nine boards for the Wolves

Up Next for Keuka College: Keuka College will now play at SUNY Brockport on Saturday in the conference championship. The Wolves defeated the Golden Eagles 65-62 in January, but Brockport earned the fifth seed to Keuka's seventh and will host.