The Misericordia University men's basketball team dropped a heartbreaking 80-78 decision to DeSales in a battle for first place in the MAC Freedom, Wednesday night at the Anderson Center.

Kevin Lazdowsky led MU with 22 points and Nick Hornung had 18 points and eight rebounds.  Joseph Baldachino added 14 points and Nate Kreitzer scored 11 points in the second half to reach the 1,000-point mark for his career.

After leading early, the Cougars fell behind by double digits late in the first half, but chipped away throughout the second half and eventually went back in front.

Hornung scored a back-door cut and Derek Smith drained a three-pointer from the right win to close the first half and get the Cougars with 43-35.

Kreitzer opened the second half with a deep three-pointer from the right wing and Baldachino connected on a step-back three from the top of the key.

Back-to-back layups from Hornung and Lazdowsky's three-pointer from the right corner put the Cougars ahead, 48-47, less than five minutes into the second half.

Lazdowsky drained another three from the right corner and connected from the top of the key to give MU a 69-55 lead with 7:38 to play.

DeSales went back in front, 76-71, but two free throws from Kreitzer and a three-point play from Derek Smith pulled the Cougars even with 1:38 to go.

The Bulldogs regained the lead and Lazdowsky tied it with a pair of free throws.

DeSales scored the game-winner with :30 to and MU's potential tying bucket rimmed out at the buzzer.

Misericordia opened the game on a three-pointer from Hornung and a four-point play by Baldachino.  Baldachino's driving layup along the right baseline made it 9-2, but the Bulldogs went on a 24-4 run to take a 26-13 lead midway through the first half.