Box Score The Misericordia University men's basketball team shot just 27 percent in the second half and couldn't overcome a 22-point, 24-rebound effort from Andy Charles, falling at Centenary 72-71 in non-conference action Saturday afternoon.
 
Matt Greene matched Charles with a game-high 22 points and added six assists for the Cougars while Steve Ware posted a double-double with career-highs of 20 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The Cougars (2-2) jumped out to an 18-5 lead just over four minutes into the game, sparked by four Greene three-pointers. Charles and Max Hughes scored back-to-back field goals, but MU maintained a lead between seven and nine points through the midway point of the first half and led 34-26 with just 4:35 remaining in the period.
 
However, the Cyclones (1-2) rattled off a 10-0 run to take their first lead of the game at 36-34 with 1:48 remaining in the first half. After being fouled on a three-point attempt, Greene knocked down all three free-throws to help the Cougars regain the lead at 37-36 and a Ware layup extended that to 39-36. Hughes hit a three-pointer to tie the game, but a Ware layup with 19 seconds remaining gave the Cougars a 41-39 halftime lead.
 
MU shot 56 percent in the first half, including 6-9 from three point range, but Centenary used a significant advantage in offensive rebounds and second-chance points to stay in the game.
 
The teams traded baskets over the first five minutes of the second half, but the Cyclones used a 17-7 run spanning four and a half minutes to take their largest lead at 64-55. Despite cold shooting, the Cougars used their defense to claw back into the game, using a 13-5 run to close the deficit to 69-68 with just under three minutes remaining and holding Centenary to just three field goals over the final 11 minutes.
 
Following a Kyle Malavesi layup Steve Ware went one for two from the foul line to close the gap to 71-69. Max Hughes made his first free throw to extend the lead back to three with 15 seconds remaining, but a pair of Joe Busacca free throws brought MU within a point at 72-71 with just 10 seconds remaining.
 
Hughes missed a pair of free throws to open the door on the ensuing Centenary possession, but the Cougars missed a pair with just two seconds remaining and the Cyclones grabbed the rebound to seal the victory.
 
Greene went 6-10 from three point range in scoring his 22 points while Jesse Urich went 3-5 from three off the bench to score nine points. Hughes added 18 points for Centenary, who held a key 48-36 advantage on the boards in the win.
 
MU returns to action on Wednesday, hosing local rival Wilkes in its Freedom opener at 8:00 PM.