KEUKA PARK, N.Y. - The Elmira College men's basketball team traveled to Keuka College to take on the Wolves in an Empire 8 matchup. The Soaring Eagles led for much of the game, but a strong finish by Keuka saw the Wolves come out on top, 74-68.

PLAY-BY-PLAY
Keuka scored the first points of the game before five unanswered points from Emmanuel Karkari-Mensah put Elmira up early. It was an evenly contested opening before a Tyler Cardello three-pointer put the Soaring Eagles ahead, 21-18, just over ten minutes into the first half. An EC run, highlighted by two triples from Owen Evans, helped build a 33-26 lead, but Keuka responded with a run of their own to regain a one-point advantage. Jude Wilkins' three-pointer then put the Soaring Eagles back in front. The two sides went into the locker room with Elmira leading, 38-36.

Kelton Brown's old-fashioned three-point play opened the scoring in the second half before layups from Brown and Karkari-Mensah gave the Soaring Eagles a 45-36 lead. The Wolves refused to go away, tying the game once again after an 8-0 run. A three-pointer from JJ Babcock sparked a 7-1 run for Elmira, but back-to-back threes from Keuka pulled them back within one with five minutes remaining. Layups from AJ Graham and Brown gave the Soaring Eagles a 64-59 lead, but a 10-0 run by Keuka propelled them to a strong finish as they won, 74-68.

LEADERS
Kelton Brown posted a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double for EC. Tyler Cardello chipped in 10 points and 6 rebounds.  

UP NEXT
The Soaring Eagles return home this weekend to take on Alfred University on Friday, January 30, at 7:30 PM. inside Speidel Gymnasium as part of Athletics Alumni Weekend. Elmira will also face Houghton University the following day at 4:00 PM.