Despite placing five players in double figures, the Misericordia University men's basketball team closed out the regular season with an 80-78 loss at King's, Saturday afternoon.

Kevin Lazdowsky led MU with 19 points while Joseph Baldachino and Nate Kreitzer scored 13 apiece.  Derek Smith added 11 points and Nick Prociak had 10.

After leading 45-39 at halftime, the Cougars fell behind 55-48 when King's opened the second half on a 16-3 run.

The Cougars chipped away throughout the second half and got within 71-69 on a three-pointer by Kreitzer with 6:24 to play.

Down 76-70, R.J. Weise made a layup and Kreitzer nailed a deep three-pointer to get back to 76-75 with less than a minute remaining.

King's went back up by four and Baldachino answered with a three-pointer to cut the margin back 79-78 with :15 to go.

The Monarchs made one free throw to go up 80-78 with :10 left and MU's shot at the buzzer was short.

The Cougars will travel to DeSales for a MAC Freedom semifinal, Wednesday.