Box Score Steve Ware scored a game-high 27 points as the Misericordia University men's basketball team pulled into a four-way tie for first place in the Freedom Conference with a 72-61 win over Wilkes, Thursday night in the Anderson Center.

Ware added a game-high 12 rebounds and Matt Greene had 16 points, including the 1,000th of his career, as the Cougars improved to 12-8 overall and 6-3 in the Freedom.

Erik Kerns had 11 points and Joe Busacca had 10 for MU.

After leading 40-33 at halftime, the Cougars built its biggest lead of the game, 59-43, midway through the second half.

Ware hit four three throws and converted a steal by Greene into a dunk at the other end to give the Cougars a 51-39 lead.

Another Ware layup made it 53-39 with 13:19 to play.

Cael Evans gave the Cougars a 16-point lead with a layup with 10:12 to go.

Wilkes answered with seven straight points, but the Cougars responded with a 7-0 run of their own to regain a 16-point lead.

Kerns capped the run with a pair of layups for a 66-50 lead with just under five minutes to play.

Wilkes took its only lead of the game on the opening bucket and the Cougars responded with three layups from Ware and a pair of three-pointers from Greene to take a 16-8 lead after five minutes.

Wilkes eventually pulled within 21-20, but never pulled even.

Another trey from Greene and two free throws by Ware stretched MU's lead back to 35-25 with 3:46 left in the first half.

Misericordia will travel to DeSales,Saturday.