KEUKA PARK, N.Y. — The Keuka College Women's Basketball team took a 57-51 lead into the final quarter but the Wolves would fall to the Utica University Pioneers 69-64 on Saturday at the JMW Recreation and Athletics Center.

Keuka College (1-20, 0-13 Empire 8) had four players score in double figures for the first time this season. Mary Cotter (Hershey, Pa. / Hershey) led the way with 18 points and six rebounds. Sydney Brown (Lowville, N.Y. / Lowville Academy) scored 14 for the Wolves. Caiden Crego (Lyons, N.Y. / Lyons) added 13 and Meghan Ellis (Cobleskill, N.Y. / Cobleskill-Richmondville) finished with 11 points in the loss.

Utica University 69 at Keuka College 64

The Wolves got out to a fast start against Utica University. Mary Cotter drained a three with 5:40 remaining in the first to give the Wolves a 9-2 lead. Utica made a couple of baskets, but Keuka answered right back with a three-point play by Maddie Kramer (Ringtown, Pa. / Nativity BVM). Seven straight for the Pioneers made it a one-point game with two minutes remaining, but Sophia Babcock (Oswego, N.Y. / Oswego) hit a three to push the lead out to 17-13. The quarter closed on a 6-2 stretch in favor of Utica as the game was tied 19-19 after the first.

Keuka College got the first four points of the second quarter from the free throw line. Utica would cut into the Keuka lead during the frame and a three-pointer 4:14 before halftime game Utica a 29-28 lead. They pushed their lead to four, capping off a 9-0 run, but Mary Cotter drew the margin back to one with a three. The lead would trade hands in the final minutes. Sydney Brown hit a three for the Wolves to send Keuka to the locker room at halftime leading 42-39.

The Wolves extended their lead in the third quarter. A three by Sydney Brown pushed the lead to 9 at 52-43. Later, Mary Cotter drained a three to give the Wolves a 10-point advantage, their largest of the game. The Pioneers closed with the final four points of the frame, but Keuka remained ahead 57-51 going into the fourth quarter.

The two teams traded baskets in the first minute with Caiden Crego making a jumper in the lane for the Wolves. However, Keuka College would go cold from the field. The Wolves were held without a point for over eight minutes. During that span, Utica went on an 11-0 run to take the lead. A three by Sydney Brown snapped the run and made it a two-point game, 64-62, but the Pioneers held onto the advantage late to defeat the Wolves 69-64.

KC Notes:

• Keuka College is now 11-12 all-time against Utica University. In the 23-game series, Saturday was the first time Keuka College scored over 56 points and lost
• Sydney Brown and Mary Cotter each hit four threes in the game for Keuka
• With the four triples by Brown, she moves into a tie for fourth on the career three-point list with 136. Sydney Brown also is in a tie for third on the single-season three list with 53
• Mary Cotter led the Wolves with six rebounds and Katie Deatherage was right behind her with five
• Caiden Crego set a new career high in points and assists with 13 and six
• Meghan Ellis tied her career-high mark of 11 points

Up Next for Keuka College: The two teams will be familiar with each other as they will run it back on Monday. Keuka College will travel to Utica University to face the Pioneers at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 12.