The Misericordia University men's basketball team closed out first semester action with a 77-72 non-conference win at Marywood, Saturday afternoon.

Jeff Slanovec's 17 points led four Cougars in double figures as MU improved to 6-3.
Dom Del Prete added 16 points and Robbie Johnson and Mark Williams had 14 and 10, respectively.

Ethan Eichhorst went coast-to-coast after a steal to give the Cougars their biggest lead of the second half, 49-43, with 12:08 remaining.

A 7-0 Marywood run gave the Pacers a 50-49 lead with 10:45 remaining before Del Prete knocked down a three-pointer to give the Cougars a 52-50 lead.

Marywood responded with a three-pointer to regain the lead, 53-52, but Del Prete converted an old-fashioned three-point play to give the Cougars the lead for good, 55-53, with 9:33 to go.

Misericordia converted eight of 11 free throws in the final three minutes to secure the win.

After holding Marywood scoreless for nearly five minutes to open the game, the Cougars took a 7-0 lead and led for much of the first half until the Pacers grabbed a 26-25 lead with just under four minutes remaining.

The teams traded buckets the rest of the way until Slanovec nailed a half-court shot at the buzzer for a 33-29 advantage.

The Cougars will face Moravian in the opening round of the Greyhound Starter's Classic, January 2.