The Misericordia University men's basketball team battled until the very end, but came up just short, dropping a tough 67-63 decision to Freedom Conference foe, DeSales University, Wednesday night in the Anderson Center.
 
Steve Ware led four Cougars in double figures with 15 points. Erik Kerns picked up a double-double, posting 12 points and collecting 10 rebounds. Joe Busacca finished with 13 points and Michael Brunson added 11 points in the loss.
 
MU trailed by as many as nine, following a 13-0 DeSales run midway through the second half.
 
Busacca brought the Cougars within five points after back-to-back mid-range jumpers, but DeSales answered and the two teams traded buckets over the next four minutes.
 
Later in the half, Jesse Urich and Griffin Sponaugle scored their first points of the game, hitting consecutive three-pointers to cut the deficit to just two points at 61-59 with 2:36 left.
 
Brian Laird answered for the Bulldogs with a short jumper, but Ware knocked down both of his free throws on the other end to keep the DeSales' lead at two with 1:18 left.
 
Travis Bryan extended the lead to four with two free throws with 32 seconds left. Kerns followed with a layup and went to the line to try and make it a three-point play, but missed the free throw. Urich was able to get the rebound, allowing MU to have the ball with just 14 second left and no shot clock.

The Cougars couldn't get the shot to fall and fouled Bryan with no time left on the clock. He hit both free throws and the Bulldogs emerged with the 67-63 victory.
 
With the loss, the Cougars fall to 15-5 and 7-2 in the Freedom Conference. DeSales improves to 15-5 and 7-2 in the conference.
 
The Cougars return to action, Saturday afternoon at 3:00 at Wilkes University.