Alec Rodway scored 15 points to lead five players in double figures as the Misericordia University men's basketball team knocked off first place Delaware Valley, 79-78, Wednesday night.
 
Griffin Sponaugle had 13 points and Erik Kerns, Jamie Egan and Tyler McGarry all added 10 points as the Cougars moved into a three-way tie for third place in the MAC Freedom.
 
James Hawk had eight points and five blocks, including the potential game-tying shot with six seconds remaining.
 
The Cougars built a 19-point midway through the second half and held off a Del Val charge over the final three minutes to snap the Aggies' 14-game home winning streak.
 
The Aggies got within one, 75-74 with 27 seconds left, but Hawk blocked the game-tying attempt and Sponaugle and Kerns combined for three free throws in the final five seconds.
 
Leading 37-31 at halftime, MU methodically pulled away as Rodway and Kerns both hit three-pointers for a 45-35 lead three minutes into the second half.
 
Rodway's three-point play followed by Egan's three-pointer gave MU a 58-41 lead with 11:30 to play.
 
Sponaugle and Egan both made three-pointers to give MU its biggest lead of the night, 64-45, with 9:42 to play.
 
The Aggies outscored the Cougars 15-5 over the next five minutes to cut MU's lead to 69-60 with 4:14 to play.
 
Rodway's layup put MU ahead, 73-62, with 3:02 left, but the Aggies went on a 12-2 run to get within a point, 75-74.
 
With five players, including four starters, picking up two first-half fouls, the Cougars were forced to go the bench and got points from nine different players in the first half.
 
McGarry made all three of MU's three-pointers in the first half, including two in a 25-second span with a minute remaining.
 
Stone McCreary's layup capped MU's 8-0 to close the first half and give the Cougars a 37-31 lead.
 
Hawk and Rodway scored consecutive layups as the Cougars took an early 7-4 lead.
 
Rodway and Earl Chang added back-to-back layups as the Cougars stretched the lead to 13-7 with 14:03 to go.
 
Del Val scored six straight points to take 16-15 lead and the teams traded baskets over the next four minutes with Egan's layup giving MU a 21-20 lead with 7:11 remaining.
 
McGarry's first three-pointer gave the Cougars a 26-23 lead with 4:02 remaining.
 
Down 31-29, he made two three-pointers over the final 1:04 to help MU take a 37-31 halftime lead.
 
Misericordia will host King's, Saturday at 3:00.