For the second consecutive game, the Misericordia University men's basketball team led a local rival for practically the entire game, beating Wilkes 86-71 in its Freedom Conference opener, Wednesday in the Anderson Center.

Junior Ethan Eichhorst shot 12-of-19 from the field for a career-high 33 points, along with a game-high 12 rebounds. Sean Bieski (7-of-12, 14 points, seven rebounds), Jeff Slanovec (13 points, six boards) and Robbie Johnson (12 points, seven assists) also came up big for the Cougars.

Wilkes led 3-2 early, but it was the last and only time they would be on top. Johnson missed a difficult reverse but Bieski was there to slam the put-back home and take the lead. Slanovec then dropped a pair of threes, the first from 25-feet, as MU began to open up a lead.

The Colonels fought back to within one but Eichhorst finished an up-and-under and Johnson picked his man's pocket for an easy lay-in that forced Wilkes to call a timeout. Then with the shot clock expiring, Bieski soared for a jumper that swished through the net just before the buzzer, putting MU up 19-14.

Soon after, Eichhorst drained a long trey to put the Cougars up 22-17. On the next possession, Bieski again hit a sky-high jumper to stretch the lead to seven.

With 5:44 remaining in the half, freshman Matt Greene hit a three to put the Cougars up 29-19. After a Kendall Hinze jumper for Wilkes, Eichhorst was left open outside the arc and his shot fell, pushing Misericordia's lead to eleven. Then a fired up Greene drove the length of the floor and converted his and-one to stretch MU's lead to 35-21.

Greene's energy continued to carry the Cougars, as his steal eventually led to a Bieski bucket and a 39-21 Cougar advantage.

Wilkes' Matt Mullins grabbed five straight points just before halftime but Eichhorst answered with a basket from the top of the key. MU led at the break, 43-28.

Four minutes into the second half, Paul Huch pulled the Colonels to within 11, but Eichhorst answered before Johnson stole a pass and converted the lay-in. Then Bieski hit a two, restoring a 17-point Misericordia advantage.

MU's run stretched to 11-0 before Tyler Breznitsky found Aaron Dombrosky for an easy bucket that broke the streak.

With 10 minutes remaining, Breznitsky's three cut the gap back down to 12, at 59-47. But Eichhorst came back from the ensuing timeout and dropped in a pair of baskets, one from behind the arc, to keep the Colonels at bay.

Sharpshooter Chris Undersinger got in on the action, dropping in a triple from the corner to give Misericordia a 69-52 lead. Late in the game, a fierce block from Bieski led to an easy Johnson bucket as MU pulled away.

Mullins led Wilkes with 24 points, while Hinze chipped in with 16 points (on 7-of-8 shooting) and nine rebounds.

Misericordia (5-0, 1-0) continues its perfect start and will host conference foe Eastern on Saturday.