Box Score Despite a career-high 32 points from Joe Busacca, the Misericordia University men's basketball team fell at Delaware Valley, 92-77, Saturday afternoon.

Busacca was 10-16 from the floor and 10-11 from the foul line.

Griffin Sponaugle added 15 points for the Cougars who dropped to 13-10 overall and remain in a three-way tie for second place in the Freedom Conference with Delaware Valley and FDU-Florham at 7-5.

The Aggies broke a 56-56 tie with 12:13 to play and pulled away over the final seven minutes of the game.

Sponaugle hit a three-pointer to pull MU within five, 73-68, with 7:26 remaining, but the Aggies answered with six straight points.

Pat Widdoss and Busacca combined for four points to get within 79-72 with 4:45 left, but that was as close as the Cougars would get.

The teams traded baskets throughout a tight first half that featured seven ties and Del Val eventually taking a 35-30 with 5:28 to play.


The Cougars quickly tied it on a three-pointer from Sponaugle and a layup by Cael Evans.

Another Evans' layup gave the Cougars a 40-38 lead with a minute left in the half, but the Aggies tied it with a layup at the other end and took a three-point halftime lead with three free throws with one second remaining.

Misericordia opened the second half with a 9-0 run to take a 49-43 lead.

Busacca and Steve Ware scored back-to-back layups and Busacca sank to free throws before Sponaugle hit a three-pointer just three minutes into the second half.

Del Val battled back to it, 56-56, with 13:10 to go and the Cougars never regained the lead.

Misericordia will  host King's, Tuesday at 8:00.