Coupeville Sports

   CHS grad Kailey Kellner (second from right) has moved into the starting lineup as a freshman at New York’s D’Youville College. (Photo courtesy Jennifer Kellner)

This is why you play the games.

On paper, Sunday’s women’s basketball match-up between win-less D’Youville College and undefeated Cazenovia College looked like a rout in the making.

Think again.

Getting solid work from its Coupeville gunner, freshman Kailey Kellner, D’Youville stormed out to a huge lead, held off an epic rally, and eventually stunned its visitors, capturing a 84-79 win.

The victory lifts the Spartans to 1-4 on the season, while Cazenovia exits the arena at 3-1.

Kellner made her second-straight start and had an immediate impact, drilling a jumper to give D’Youville its first lead at 4-2.

From opening tip until midway through the third quarter, the Spartans were at the top of their games.

From a 26-24 lead after one quarter, D’Youville stretched its lead to eight at the half and all the way out to 18 after a torrid start to the third.

Up 63-45 with 4:39 to play in the quarter, the Spartans looked untouchable.

Cazenovia had other ideas, however.

The Cougars, who had outscored their first three foes by 56 points, suddenly found their shooting touch, ripping off 16 straight points to silence the home fans.

Darian Evans stopped the bleeding for D’Youville with a layup to end the quarter, but, while the Spartans were still clinging to a lead at 65-61, momentum had taken a huge turn.

Or, maybe it hadn’t, as the Buffalo Bombers proved to be far more resilient than originally thought.

After taking three fairly rough beatings to open the season, D’Youville lost a close one in its last game, and Sunday, it seized its moment.

Having prevented Cazenovia from retaking the lead, the Spartans made their shots down the stretch while clamping down on defense.

Cue the final buzzer, and a team which had been outscored collectively by 80 points in its first four games was ready to cut down the nets.

Or, at least celebrate a bit as they headed to the locker room. It is only the fifth game of the season.

Kellner finished with six points, three rebounds and two assists, while playing 26 minutes. For the season, she’s averaging five points and 2.6 rebounds a game.

D’Youville will try and get a winning streak going when it hits the road Wednesday to face Penn State-Behrend.

Bonus: How many times can you spot Kellner in D’Youville’s hype video?