Box Score The Misericordia University men's basketball team suffered its first Freedom Conference loss of the season in a battle of previously unbeaten teams, 79-61, Wednesday night at DeSales.

Cael Evans led the Cougars with 17 points of the bench and Justin Grotevant added 12.

Misericordia took an early six point lead, 13-7, but DeSales rallied to take the lead midway through the first half and eventually built a 41-29 halftime lead.

The Cougars committed just 10 turnovers, but forced just six on the other end of the floor.

The game was decided behind the thee-point arc where the Bulldogs shot 55.6% (10-18) and the Cougars were 4-12 (33.3%).

Sean Bieski, Grotevant, Evans and Steve Ware all scored early buckets to give MU a 10-7 lead just under five minutes into the game.

Matt Greene drained a three-pointer to the stretch the lead to 13-7 with 14:12 to play.

The teams traded baskets for much of the opening half and Joe Busacca's jumper kept MU within one, 23-22, with 8:12 to play.

After DeSales went up 34-27, Evans sank two free throws to cut the deficit to five with 4:07 remaining, but the Bulldogs closed the half on a 7-0 run.

Bieski opened the second half with jumper to get Misericordia within 10, but the Cougars never got closer.

Misericordia, 8-8 (4-1), will travel to Delaware Valley, Saturday.