Box Score The Misericordia University women's basketball team dropped another heartbreaker, 59-58, to the University of Mary Washington in the opening round of the Catholic Christmas Invitational, Monday in Washington, D.C.

Lauren Smicherko led the Cougars with 14 points while Shelby Brochetti and Shannon Croasdale added 10 points each.

The Cougars overcame a six-point halftime deficit, 33-27, to take a 12-point lead, but UMW closed the game on a 15-2 run over the final six minutes.

MU held a 58-55 lead with 3:50 to play after two free throws by Jaclyn Hajec and the teams went scoreless for 3:40 until the Eagles scored twice in the final 10 seconds to steal the win.

A last-second layup to win the game for Misericordia was off the mark as the Cougars fell to 0-11.

Croasdale scored MU's first five points of the second half and Brochetti scored the next seven as the Cougars took a 39-35 lead less than five minutes into the second half.

Smicherko and Sam Baro followed with layups and Croasdale added two free throws for a 45-37 lead with 13:20 to play.

Brochetti's three-pointer put MU ahead 51-39 with 8:55 to play.

Smicherko's three-pointer made it 56-44 with 6:18 remaining, but UMW rattled off 11 straight points before Hajec's free throws ended Misericordia's scoring.

The Cougars will face Washington & Lee in the consolation game, Tuesday at 1:00.