The Misericordia University football team put together its most complete effort of the season before coming up on the short end of a hard-fought 28-24 defeat to Lycoming, Saturday afternoon at Mangelsdorf Field.

The Cougars led throughout the contest until the Warriors rallied for two scores in the final 12 minutes.

Brandon Leap threw for 239 yards and three touchdowns and Sam Gillison had 105 yards receiving and two scores.

Mark McMaster added 76 yards on three catches, including a TD, and Colton Pyne had 50 yards on a game-high six receptions.

Jared Henn and Tim Kelly led the MU defense with eight tackles each while Noah Bard had seven stops.

Jordan Aquino and Garrett Murray both had six tackles and Anthony Rand-Willever had four tackles, including two for a loss.

After the teams exchanged turnovers on the game's first two possessions, the Cougars went 61 yards in five plays to take a 7-0 lead.

MU moved the ball on its first possession and was in Lycoming territory on McMaster's 20-yard reception, but a fumble gave the ball to the Warriors.

Misericordia got the ball back on a Jared Harris interception at the MU 30 yard line.

Leap connected with Colton Pyne across the middle on third-and-six for a first down near midfield and then Leap went 11 yards up the middle for a first down in Lycoming territory.  After a short completion to Pyne, Gillison took a slant 38 yards for a touchdown with 8:26 left in the first period.

Both teams missed field goal attempts and a 19-yard punt return gave the Cougars the ball at their own 42.

Facing third-and-nine, Leap rolled left and hit Gillison, who broke a tackle at the 40 and out-ran the defense for a TD and 14-0 lead

Lycoming answered late in the half, but the PAT failed and the Cougars led 14-6 at halftime.

The Cougars stretched their lead to 17-6 with a 37-yard field goal midway through the third quarter.  After forcing a three-and-out by Lycoming to open the second half, the Cougars took over on their own 19. Robin Custodio took a pitch around the right end for a first down and then rumbled 28 yards on an option for a first down at the Lycoming 43.

Leap rolled out to his left and found Gillison for a 10-yard gain and then rushed for 11 yards up the middle to the Lycoming 17.  A fumble backed MU up and they settled for
Mike Dinnocenti's field goal for a 17-6 lead with 5:26 left in the third.

The Warriors pulled within 17-14, the Cougars responded with another quick score to take a 24-14 lead early in the fourth.

Facing third-and-10, Leap scrambled to his left and avoided a sack before finding McMaster for a 40-yard catch-and-run TD with 14:33 to go.

The Warriors went 58 yards in seven plays to cut the lead to 24-21 and used a big run by Blake Bowman to score the eventual game-winning TD with 6:43 to play.

The Lycoming defense forced a three-and-out and the Warriors ran out the clock.

MU, 0-4 (0-3 MAC) will host Stevenson for Homecoming, Saturday.