The Misericordia University men's basketball team endured a horrific shooting night from behind the arc and despite some inspired defense down the stretch the Cougars ultimately fell 62-58 to Eastern, Saturday in the Anderson Center.

It was the first loss of the season for the Cougars (5-1, 1-1), who shot just 3-of-22 (13.6%) on three-pointers including a stretch where they missed 14 in a row.

Still, MU hung tough with the Eagles, drawing several charges in the second half and holding the visitors to just one made field goal over the final seven-plus minutes of the contest.

Junior Ethan Eichhorst once again led the Cougars in scoring with 22 points, shooting 9-of-10 from the free throw line. Robbie Johnson had 13 points and Jeff Slanovec chipped in with eight points and nine rebounds.

Down by 10 with 6:32 to play, Sean Bieski scored on a nice cut to the hoop and Eichhorst drained a pair of free throws. But the Cougars saw four more three-point attempts rim out, despite getting stops on the defensive end.

With just over two minutes remaining, Chris Undersinger drew a charge and Johnson fought his way into the lane for a hoop that cut the Eastern lead to six, 54-49. Despite getting the ball back, the Cougars again missed badly from behind the three-point line.

Twice Eichhorst hit baskets in the final minute to cut the Eagles' advantage to four, but both times they responded by hitting their free throws to keep Misericordia at bay.

In the first half, the Eagles had taken an early 14-8 lead, before the Cougars fought back. Following an Eichhorst steal, Matt Greene got his defender to leave the ground and went to the line, making two of three.

Slanovec's pull-up jumper on the fast break made it 14-12, and Eichhorst hit four straight free throws to take back the lead for Misericordia.

However, Eastern would answer Misericordia's 8-0 run with a 10-3 run of their own, that was finally broken on a cross-court pass by Greene to Eichhorst. The Eagles registered the final four baskets of the half and led 33-26 at the break.

The Cougars shot just 29.6% (8-of-27) in the first half, missing seven of eight attempts from downtown.

Sophomore Alex Nelson led Eastern with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Dan Miller (12 points, eight rebounds) and Collin Whipple (10 points, seven boards) also contributed.

Misericordia will host Susquehanna on Monday.