Coupeville Sports

   Kailey Kellner, seen here in her high school days, started Monday for D’Youville College. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Some nights you just try to survive.

Facing one of the two powerhouses in its league Monday, the D’Youville College women’s basketball team ended up smack-dab in the path of a buzz-saw.

After enduring a 66-45 rout at the hands of visiting Hilbert College, the Spartans sit at 3-4 in league play, 4-10 overall.

The high-flying Hawks of Hilbert (8-1, 10-5) took over sole possession of first-place in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference with the win, moving a half-game up on Mount Aloysius (7-1, 9-4).

While D’Youville struggled, there was one bright spot.

Coupeville grad Kailey Kellner returned to the starting lineup for the Spartans, and the freshman picked up three points, two rebounds and two assists.

For the season, the former Wolf sharpshooter, who has played in all 14 games, starting five, has 41 points, 28 rebounds, 14 assists and eight steals.

D’Youville stayed close in the first quarter Monday, trailing just 22-14 at the first break, but a 24-6 Hilbert surge in the second was a killer.

Down 60-28 entering the fourth quarter, the Spartans showed some gumption, opening the final period with a 13-0 run to slice the lead almost in half.

Kellner and her teammates bounce right back into action Wednesday, when they hit the road to play Medaille College (4-4, 7-8).

The “road trip” isn’t a long one, as both schools are in Buffalo, New York and sit just 10 minutes (on a good traffic day) away from each other.