The Misericordia University men's basketball team started the new year with a 65-62 win over Stockton University.
 
Nate Kreitzer led the Cougars with 21 points while Tony Harding added 17 points.
 
Jake Bartholomew had 10 points and Noah Rivera added seven points and 14 rebounds.
 
The Cougars started the game on a 4-0 run thanks to Harding's layup and a pair of free throws from Kreitzer and held the Ospreys scoreless for the first five minutes of the game.
 
Darius Jackson hit a free throw to extend the Cougars largest of the game, 26-11, with 5:28 left in the first half.
 
After leading 33-24 at halftime, the Cougars' lead was quickly cut to just 42-40 with 15:01 left in the second half.
 
After relinquishing the lead, Bartholomew hit a three-pointer to tie the score, 51-51, with 8:06 remaining in the game.
 
The Cougars and Ospreys went back and forth over the final eight minutes.
 
Harding helped the Cougars take the lead, 61-59, with 45 seconds to go.
 
Kyion Flanders responded for the Ospreys with a three pointer and Stockton regained the lead.
 
Rivera was fouled after grabbing an offensive rebound and hit two clutch free throws to put the Cougars up by one, 63-62, with 17 seconds to play.
 
After the Ospreys were called for a travel on their next possession, Joseph Baldachino sank two free throws to put the Cougars up 65-62.
 
The Cougars shot 20-23 (87%) from the charity stripe, including Kreitzer's 11-11 effort.
 
Misericordia will open MAC Freedom play on Wednesday at home versus Wilkes at 6:00.