KEUKA, NY – The Buffalo State women's basketball team picked up its first win of the 2026 campaign, completing a 13-point fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Keuka College Wolves, 71-68.
GAME BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Buffalo State – 71, Keuka College – 68
LOCATION: JMW Recreation and Athletics Center – Keuka, NY
RECORDS: Buffalo State: 1-0 (0-0 SUNYAC), Keuka College: 0-1 (0-0 Empire 8)
INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE
- Morgan Popp (Tonawanda, NY/Sweet Home) led the Bengals with 18 points, going a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the three-point arc. Mya Brown (Buffalo, NY/Frontier) tallied a double-double, finishing with 16 points and a team-high 11 rebounds.
- Shayy McFarlane (Brooklyn, NY/Progress) and Kim DiLeonardo (Watertown, NY/Watertown) shined in their season debuts, with McFarlane adding 16 points and DiLeonardo cashing in with 14 points.
- As a team, the Bengals shot 41.4% from the floor, 50.0% from beyond the three-point line and 44.4% from the free-throw line.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Making their season debut on the road, the Bengals looked to start the year off in winning fashion as they battled the Keuka College Wolves.
- In the opening quarter, scoring came easily for the Bengals as they found their rhythm behind the three-point arc and took an early lead. After a defensive lull midway through the quarter, the Wolves found a rhythm of their own, using a 6-0 run to tie the game before a last-second three-pointer gave the Bengals a two-point lead at the end of the quarter.
- In the second quarter, the Bengals fell behind as the Wolves went on another run, this time scoring 14 straight to retake the lead and force the Bengals into a double-digit deficit. The Bengals found ways to bring this matchup within single digits, but the Wolves kept their shooting touch going and sent the Bengals into halftime down 15 points.
- Exiting halftime, the Bengals continued to fight, doing their best to get this matchup back within striking distance. However, the Wolves continued to match the Bengals' output, and the Bengals trailed by 13 points heading into the final quarter of action.
- In the fourth, with their backs against the wall, the Bengals picked up their defensive pressure and were rewarded on the offensive end. After an early 5-0 run from the Wolves, the Bengals responded with a 6-0 run before racing out on a 14-0 run, with Popp hitting the go-ahead three-pointer and sealing the win with two free throws. The Bengals downed the Wolves on their home court to pick up their first win of the season in thrilling fashion.
FOR THE FOES
- Lillian Mullen led the Wolves with 16 points, while Emilee Bacon pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds.
- As a team, the Wolves shot 39.7% from the field, 30.8% from beyond the three-point line and 50.0% from the free-throw line.
UP NEXT
The Bengals will look to build on their opening win as they make their home debut this Tuesday, November 10, hosting the Alfred University Saxons at 5:30 PM.
