Justin Grotevant had a game-high 18 points as the Misericordia University men's basketball team closed out first semester action with a 75-57 win at Marywood, Monday at Insalaco Arena.

Joe Busacca had 15 points off the bench for the Cougars and Jeff Slanovec added 13 as Misericordia improved to 8-3.

Misericordia University hit nearly 60% of their shots from the floor, including a 57% clip from behind the arc, and nearly a 90% mark from the charity stripe.

Misericordia edged the Pacers (4-6) 62-60 in the Championship game of the Laurel Line tournament in November.

The Cougars built a nine-point halftime lead after connecting on 7 of 11 attempts from long-range, including a 2-for-4 effort from Slanovec, who had 11 points at the break.

A tight affair in the early stages, the score was knotted at 16-16 with just 8:27 to go in the first half when the Cougars went on a 7-0 run over the next 2:30 to take a 23-16 lead. 

After a Pacers' free-throw, the Cougars went up nine on a three from Slanovec and eventually went up by as many as 13 (33-20) before the Pacers got it back down to single digits before the first-half buzzer sounded.

Misericordia out-scored Marywood 12-4 in the paint in the opening half and the Cougars' bench out-scored Marywood's 12-3.

Marywood cut the Cougars' lead to seven to open the second half, but Misericordia remained hot from the floor to extend their lead to 20 points with 4:23 left.

Misericordia is off until January 2 when they play in the Sponaugle New Year's Tournament at Franklin & Marshall.