The TCNJ men's basketball team broke open a close game with a 19-4 run to end the first half en route to a 79-60 win over Misericordia University, Wednesday evening.

Tony Harding led the Cougars with 14 points while Justin Iton added 11 points and five rebounds. 

The Cougars trailed 27-23 late in the first half, but TCNJ used a surge over the final 6:46 to take a 45-28 halftime lead.

The Lions scored the first seven points of the second half and eventually built a 67-39 lead midway through the second half.

TCNJ scored nine straight points to take a 15-4 lead less than four minutes into the game, but the Cougars answered with an 11-0 run over the next four minutes to pull even.

Harding started the spurt with a jumper and Iton followed with back-to-back layups.

A three-pointer by Harding got the Cougars within two and Iton's short jumper tied it, 15-15, with 12:57 left in the first half.

The Lions took a 27-21 lead before Jason Kenny's jumper cut the margin to four points with 6:46 to go in the first half. 

The Cougars shot just 31.9% from the floor, including 9.1% from three-point range, for the game.

Misericordia will face Haverford in the first round of the Lycoming Tournament, Friday at 8:00.