The Misericordia University men's basketball team dropped their conference opener to Delaware Valley, 73-61, on Wednesday night inside the Anderson Center.

Will Anozie led the Cougars in scoring with 17 points, going 3-5 from behind the arc. 

Matt Prociak dropped a double-double with 16 points and a team-high 12 rebounds and Arvel Chandler added 10 points.

Trailing 7-0 early in the first half, Chandler put MU on the board with a driving layup from the right baseline.

After getting around his defender with a spin move, Prociak cut Del Val's lead down to four with a short jumper. A few minutes later, Anozie chipped further away at the deficit with a three-pointer from the right corner.

Misericordia took its first lead of the evening at 9:04 of the first frame with another Anozie three ball, this time from deep in the right wing, giving the Cougars a 16-14 advantage.

The Aggies responded down the stretch and reclaimed a four point lead before Chandler threaded a pass to Prociak, who was wide open under the basket.

Eli Stoute put up the final points of the first half for Misericordia with a scooping layup as the Cougars entered halftime down 38-34.

Delaware Valley extended their lead to five early in the second half, but the Cougars continued to hang tough with the visitors. Jack Gallagher took a feed from Prociak and finished the play with a reverse layup to make it 41-38 in favor of the Aggies.

Gallagher continued to set the tone on offense, nailing a three-pointer from the left wing to bring Misericordia within one point of tying the game.

Del Val pulled away midway through the second frame and led by at least four points for the remaining 7:34 of the ball game.