The Misericordia University men's basketball team played its heart out, but a pair of late free throws gave DeSales an easy out as the league-leaders left Dallas with a 75-73 victory.

With the game tied at 73-all, the Cougars had a chance to win with three seconds remaining. Senior Robbie Johnson's shot rimmed out but just before the clock expired a loose ball foul was called on the Cougars, allowing DeSales to move 80 feet the other way and win from the charity stripe.

It was a tough loss to take for Misericordia, who led for most of the game against the defending champion Bulldogs. MU's Jeff Slanovec twice fought off DSU rallies with hoops in the lane, before a long three from Brian Kerwin tied the game and set up the anti-climactic finish.

Slanovec finished with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Junior Ethan Eichhorst was 10-of-15 from the field and had a double-double with 25 points and 11 boards. Freshman Matt Greene chipped in with a game-high six assists.

The two teams combined to convert 12 of their 25 first half baskets from behind the arc. Misericordia created open looks with good hustle plays throughout the game.

Two-and-a-half minutes in, Johnson turned the ball over but worked hard to win it back. He then found Slanovec in the corner for a three-pointer that tied the game at 7-all.

With 13:19 remaining in the opening period, Sean Bieski ran down his own miss and found Greene for a wide-open triple to put the Cougars ahead 15-12.

Later in the half, Slanovec followed a Johnson three with one of his own. The basket completed a 9-0 Misericordia run and put the hosts up 26-20.

With 2:18 left before halftime, Eichhorst beat his man on the post with a quick move to put Misericordia ahead 33-28. The Cougars would take a 35-32 advantage into the break.

Early in the second half, Eichhorst crashed the boards to finish off Greene's missed three. He then tapped-in Slanovec's miss to put the Cougars up 39-34.

On the next possession, Slanovec's steal led to a three-point play for the junior. He got himself a second consecutive and-one opportunity, although the final free throw rimmed out.

With 13:26 remaining Johnson had the ball slapped away while going up for a shot but stuck with the play, grabbing the loose ball and finishing off a three-point play.

Eichhorst then took a charge and freshman Jerry Reilly knocked down the long two to put the Cougars up 58-51.

Midway through the second half, DeSales senior Brian Hunter swished a three that pushed him over the 1,000th point mark for his career. He finished with team-highs for both points (21) and rebounds (10).

Brett Moyer added 16 points and nine boards for the Bulldogs, while Kerwin finished with 15 points.

Misericordia falls to 13-9, 6-5 and currently sits in a three-way tie for third place in the Freedom Conference. MU hosts FDU-Florham, Saturday at 3 PM.