Another second-half comeback came up short as the Misericordia University men's basketball team fell at Wilkes, 79-63, Wednesday.

Noah Rivera led the Cougars with 16 points and 12 rebounds and Diby Keita added 10 points.

The Cougars fell behind 58-42 less than six minutes into the second half before a 16-2 run.

Keita hit a three-pointer and Rivera made a pair of free throws after a Wilkes bucket to get within 60-47.

Keita made another three-pointer to start a sting of 13 straight points as the Cougars cut the deficit to 60-58 with 9:34 to play.

Wilkes answered with 17 unanswered points over the next seven minutes to take a 77-58 lead with 2:28 to go.

The teams traded baskets early in the first half with the Cougars taking a 14-13 lead on a pair of three-pointers from Tony Harding with 13:44 left in the first half.

Wilkes went ahead 22-14, but a layup by Keita and two free throws from Nick Prociak got MU within 24-20 with 9:08 remaining.

Prociak added six points over the next two minutes and the Cougars trailed 28-26 with 7:18 to play in the first half.

Wilkes scored 10 straight points and took a 44-32 lead into halftime.

The Cougars will host DeSales, Saturday at 3:00.