The FDU-Florham Devils challenged Misericordia University forward Sean Bieski and the sophomore came through, knocking down the winning free throw to lead the MU men's basketball team to a crucial 73-71 win.

With two seconds remaining, the game was tied at 71-71 and the Cougars were looking to set up the winning shot. Junior Ethan Eichhorst was fouled and knocked out of the game with an injury, allowing FDU to choose which MU player would take the deciding free throw.

Bieski was chosen and rose to the pressure, knocking down the first shot. FDU's desperation heave hit a speaker in the ceiling, and Bieski hit one more to complete the 73-71 scoreline.

Five Cougars were in double-figures, including Eichhorst (18 points) and Bieski (17 points). Jeff Slanovec had 12 points while Matt Greene added 11.

Senior Robbie Johnson was playing in his final regular-season home game and finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Seniors Frank Nutt and Scott Huddle (five boards) were also honored before tip-off.

The Cougars led by double-digits before a late 12-2 Devils run made it 67-66. After a Bieski foul shot, Eichhorst came up with a steal and fed Greene for a three-pointer to push the lead to 71-66 with 1:04 remaining.

FDU fought back again however, and a three-point play with 18 seconds remaining evened things up at 71-all, the eighth tie of the contest.

FDU-Florham had scored on its first three possessions to take an early 7-2 lead.

Five minutes into the action, Johnson picked his man's pocket and found Bieski releasing. The sophomore went up strong and scored despite being fouled, keeping Misericordia within two at 10-8.

The Devils answered immediately with a pair of threes to go up by eight. Eichhorst soon forced one in from the low post to make it 18-14 FDU-Florham, nine minutes before halftime.

Down 22-15, the Cougars went on a 9-0 run to inch ahead. After a Slanovec three-pointer, Greene hit a fast break runner. Greene then followed an Eichhorst basket with a step-back two to take the lead.

MU led by four after a Bieski hoop, but the Devils rallied late to take a 33-30 advantage into the break.

Early in the second half, Bieski finished his own miss to re-take a 38-36 lead, and then fed Eichhorst on the fast break to make it 40-36.

With 15 minutes to play, Greene had a steal and a fancy over-the-shoulder pass to Johnson. FDU would briefly re-take a 48-46 advantage, but Bieski broke the 10-2 run with a jumper.

Later in the half, Bieski's ferocious block led to a Greene pull-up three-pointer on the break and a 54-49 MU lead. Slanovec's three-pointer with 5:55 left pushed the lead to double-digits for the only time all night.

Adam Katz was on fire for the Devils, finishing with 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting. Derek Hall had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Cougars improve to 14-9, 7-5 and sit in a three-way tie for second place in the Freedom Conference with Wilkes and Delaware Valley. King's is in fifth place at 6-6, so a playoff spot could be on the line when Misericordia visits the Monarchs, Tuesday at 8 PM.

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