The Misericordia University men's basketball team dropped a tough 73-71 decision to Otterbein in their season opener, Friday night at the Waynesburg Tip-Off Tournament.
Kayode Adebayo had 17 points to lead four Cougars in double figures.
Eli Stoute had 15 points and
Jack Gallagher had 13 points and 10 rebounds while
Ryan Nasuti added 10 points.
The Cougars led by as many as 14 points late in the first half and led throughout most of the second half until the Cardinals took a 67-65 lead on a three-pointer with 4:54 to play.
Otterbein hit another three-pointer to go up 70-65 with 4:08 to go.
Adebayo made back-to-back layups to get the Cougars within 70-69 with 1:43 to play.
The teams traded free throws in the final minute and the Cougars had a layup attempt at the buzzer.
Nasuti and Adebayo combined to score 11 straight points to help MU build a 23-10 lead midway through the first half.
Eli Stoute nailed a three-pointer and converted the four-point play to give the Cougars their biggest lead of the night, 29-15, with 7:07 left in the first half.
Otterbein rallied to get within 36-31 at halftime.
Â
