Center Valley, PA (February 3, 2016) – Misericordia's Griffin Sponaugle hit a three-pointer with 49 seconds left leading the Cougars to a 77-72 win over the DeSales University men's basketball team in MAC Freedom action on Wednesday evening in Billera Hall.
 
The Bulldogs (14-6, 6-3 MAC Freedom) trailed 57-46 with 12:38 to go when it switched to a 1-2-2 zone press that seemed to baffle Misericordia (11-9, 5-4 MAC Freedom).  Slowly DSU cut away at the lead, pulling to within five points several times.  Still trailing by seven at the 6:16 mark, a 7-0 DeSales run tied the game at 63 with 4:19 to play.
 
Sponaugle answered the spurt with a deep three-pointer but DSU's press continued to confuse the Cougars as the Bulldogs used a 6-0 run after the Sponaugle triple to take a 69-66 lead with 2:27 remaining.
 
Freshman Alex Rodway then took matters into his own hands slicing thru the Bulldog zone for back-to-back layups reclaiming the lead for Misericordia, 70-69, with 1:40 left.  Junior Brian Laird answered on the other end breaking free for an uncontested lay-up in the half court as DeSales called a full timeout.
 
Out of the timeout, the Cougars broke the press and Rodway found Sponaugle open on the left wing as he let go on a high arcing three from well behind the line that hit nothing but net giving Misericordia a 73-71 lead.
 
Junior Kuity Slanger was called for traveling on the ensuing possession and forced to foul MU made 4-for-4 from the charity stripe over the final 15 seconds to ice the road victory.
 
Sophomore Connor Jones had a terrific game off the bench for DeSales totaling a career-high 23 points and six rebounds off the bench.  Slanger added 17 points, while senior Cody Deal, Laird, and junior Brandon Bridy each had eight points.
 
Freshman Jason Kenny led the Cougars with 17 points, Sponaugle finished with 14 points, James Hawk totaled 12 points, and Tyler McGarry had 10 points off the bench.  Erik Kerns also played well with nine points, 10 rebounds, and six assists for the Cougars.
 
Both teams shot very well from the free throw line as DSU hit 20-for-23 (87.0%) and MU converted 11-of-12 (91.7%).  Misericordia had a big advantage from outside the arc hitting 10 3's as compared to just four for the Bulldogs.
 
Jones earns A.B.E. Doors and Windows Player of the Game honors netting a career-high in the loss.
 
The Bulldogs are back in action on Saturday when they welcome Delaware Valley University to Billera Hall.  DSU stands just one game behind the Aggies for first place in the MAC Freedom heading into the match-up.  Tip is set for 3:00 pm.