The Misericordia University men's basketball team beat DeSales, 78-76, in overtime, Saturday to move into a three-way tie for first place in the Freedom Conference.
Ethan Eichhorst tied his season-high with 27 points as the Cougars won their sixth straight game to improve to 15-6 overall and 7-3 in the Freedom.
Steve Artzerounian had 15 points and
Matt Greene added 13 for the Cougars.
Eastern and Wilkes are both 7-3.
Leading 75-74, Greene came up with a steal and found a streaking Eichhorst for a layup and a three-point play to give the Cougars a 78-74 lead with under eight seconds remaining.
Tied 66-66 with under 30 seconds to play in regulation, DeSales called a timeout with six seconds remaining and a missed a potential game-winning jumper.
Artzerounian opened the overtime with a pair of free throws to give MU a 68-66 lead and the Cougars never trailed in the extra session.
After DeSales pulled with 69-68,
Brandon Stone sank a baseline jumper to give the Cougars a 71-70 lead with 2:15 to play.
DeSales answered to get within 71-70 and Eichhorst responded with a jumper for a 73-70 MU advantage with 1:55 remaining.
The Bulldogs made two free throws with 1:26 to go and Eichhorst made two of his own for a 75-72 lead with 1:12 left.
DeSales made a layup to make it 75-74 and had a chance to take their first lead of overtime before Greene's steal sealed the game.
The Cougars trailed 50-43 with 12:04 to play in regulation, but scored nine straight points to take a 52-50 lead.
Artzerounian started the run with a layup and Eichhorst scored four straight points before Artzerounian put the Cougars ahead with a three-point play with 8:29 to go.
DeSales tied it at 52-52 and neither team led by more than two points over the final eight minutes.
Eichhorst, Greene and
Jeff Slanovec all had three pointers as the Cougars took their biggest lead of the game, 18-11, midway through the first half, but DeSales closed the half on a 19-7 run to take a 32-30 halftime lead.
Misericordia will host Eastern, Wednesday at 8:00.
