Box Score Justin Grotevant poured in a career-high 26 points to carry the Misericordia University men's basketball team back from a 13-point second half deficit to defeat King's College, 65-59, on Tuesday night at Scandlon Gymnasium
 
“I thought that our guys played well in the second half,” said MU head coach Trevor Woodruff. “They showed some great pride in fighting back for a win in a game that doesn't really change things in the big picture.”
 
King's jumped out to an early 22-9 lead in the first nine minutes of the half behind 11 early points from Kyle Hammonds. MU answered with a little push by way of a Patrick Widdoss jumper and a Matt Greene three to cut the deficit to eight at 24-16, but the Monarchs would score seven straight points to take their largest lead of the half at 31-16.
 
A layup and a three-point play by Grotevant cut the deficit to ten, and the Cougars would cut the lead to eight once again with 1:47 remaining, but a Tim O'Shea jumper with 25 seconds remaining sent King's into the locker room with a 35-25 lead.

“The first half tonight was no different than many this season,” said Woodruff. “We came out lethargic, were stagnant on offense, and weren't moving the ball. It's difficult to score when the ball doesn't move.”
 
Grotevant led the Cougars with 11 points in the first half but sat the final 4:30 of the period after picking up his second foul. MU shot 38 percent from the floor in the half, including just 2-11 from three-point range. The Cougars also allowed King's to take a 22-12 advantage on the boards
 
A Grotevant layup to open the second half cut the Monarchs' lead to eight, but a Pat O'Donnell jumper and a Hammonds three extended the margin back to 13 at 40-27.
 
The Cougars would fight their way back into the game, as Grotevant and Joe Busacca each scored five points in an 11-3 MU run to make the score 43-38 with 13:17 to play. Following a Hammonds jumper, Greene found Jesse Urich for a huge three-pointer to cut the deficit to four, and a Urich layup two possessions later would make it a two-point game with 10:34 remaining.
 
King's would score six-straight points to extend their lead back to eight at 51-43, but Grotevant would score seven of the Cougars' next ten points to bring them back within two at 55-53 with just 3:54 left in the game.
 
After a Bieski free throw brought MU within one, Steve Ware made a strong baseline drive and layup to give the Cougars their first lead and Urich hit another huge three to put his team up 59-55 with just 1:06 to play. The Cougars made six of eight free throws down the stretch to preserve the win.
 
“It's great to pick up some momentum heading into the conference tournament,” said Grotevant of the victory. “King's is a crosstown rival, so every win against them is a big win.”
 
For Grotevant, it's was his second straight career high performance, as he scored his 26 points on 11-16 shooting. Over the past four games, Grotevant is averaging 19.5 points per contest and shooting a blistering 75 percent from the field.
 
“Coach has been really getting on me to work hard to get good looks and to shoot it when I'm open,” said Grotevant of his recent performance. “I've been doing just that, and my teammates have been finding me.”
 
“Justin has been absolutely terrific,” said Woodruff of the senior. “His confidence is sky high, and it couldn't be better timing. Hopefully some of our other guys can match his confidence level.”
 
Greene added 14 points and a game-high seven assists while Urich broke out of a shooting slump to hit two huge threes and score 10 points.
 
“Shooters have to shoot,” said Woodruff of Urich. “Now that he's seen a few go in, hopefully he will continue to hit more, and, again, it couldn't come at a better time for us.”
 
With the victory, MU (12-12, 8-5 Freedom) solidified itself as the #3-seed in the upcoming Freedom Conference Tournament. The Cougars will host Manhattanville on Saturday at 3:00 PM. Prior to the game, the squad will honor seniors Sean Bieski and Grotevant.
 
“It's always our goal to win every home game,” said Woodruff. “I think that our guys will be excited, if for no other reason, to play hard for two guys who have given a lot of themselves to this program.”