Ethan Eichhorst had 17 points to lead five players in double figures as the Misericordia University men's basketball team cruised to a 96-68 win over Centenary in the season opener for both teams, Tuesday night in the Anderson Center.

Joe Busacca had 16 points and Chris Undersinger added 14 while Jeff Slanovec and Justin Grotevant both had 12.

Eichhorst added a game-high 13 rebounds.

Matt Greene had a team-high seven assists and Busacca added five.

TheCougars raced out to a 56-14 halftime lead on 58.6% shooting from the floor, including 11-16 (68.8%) from three-point range.

Leading 27-10 midway through the first half, the Cougars closed with a 29-4 run over the final 11:06.

Undersinger and Grotevant both had five points to stretch the lead to 42-10 with 4:42 to go.

Grotevant followed with a three-pointer and Eichhorst drained a pair of free throws for a 47-12 advantage.

Slanovec added a pair of three-pointers over the final two minutes of the half.

MU took it's biggest lead of the night, 67-24, on a Busacca layup with 15:29 to play.

The Cougars will host Baptist Bible in the first round of the McCarthy Tire Laurel Line Tournament, Friday at 8:00