Dallas, PA (February 18, 2025) - The DeSales University men's basketball team fell short in a chance to clinch a spot in the MAC Freedom postseason tournament falling 70-69 at Misericordia University in MAC Freedom action on Tuesday evening.

The Basics

• Final Score: Misericordia - 70, DeSales - 69
• Records: DeSales (13-11, 7-6 MAC Freedom); Misericordia (14-10, 7-6 MAC Freedom)
• DSU splits the season series with the Cougars and now own a 39-21 lead in the all-time series.
• The Bulldogs are still very much alive in the race to earn a spot in the MAC Freedom postseason tournament just needing a win at Delaware Valley University on Saturday to earn a spot.

How it Happened

• Tied at 12 early, MU scored seven straight points to take a 19-12 lead 10 minutes into the game.
• DeSales erased an eight-point defict with a 10-0 run later in the first-half taking a 25-23 lead thanks in part to 3's from junior Brendan Boyle and first-year Luke Keppel.
• Trailing by four late, the Bulldogs scored the final six points of the half to take a 38-36 lead after a three from Keppel capped off the half.
• The two teams went back-and-forth over the first eight and a half minutes as the score was tied at 50.
• The Cougars used a 12-1 run over the next four minutes to take a 62-51 lead with 7:22 to go.
• DSU chipped away at the lead getting within four points several times and still trailed by four with 1:08 left in the game.
• Keppel missed a three on the next possession but DSU got the rebound and after a timeout, Keppel was fouled hitting 1-of-2 freebies to make it a three-point game with 41 ticks left.
• DeSales fouled on the ensuing inbounds play and MU missed the front end of a 1-and-1 and out of a timeout senior Caleb Gibbs was fouled on a drive to the basket, hitting both free throws to make it 70-69 with 16 seconds left.
• DSU pressured the Cougars in the backcourt leading to a timeout from the MU bench with 12 seconds left.
• Out of that timeout the Bulldogs pressued Misericordia once again as six seconds ran off the clock and MU called another timeout.
• This time DeSales fouled MU right away on the next inbounds pass and the Cougars again missed the front end of a 1-and-1.
• Senior Devin Atkinson quickly sent an outlet pass to first-year Jayden Thomas who raced down the court and got off an off-balance runner at the buzzer that wasn't close as time expired on the comeback.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Keppel led all scorers with a season and game-high 19 points, hitting 4-for-7 from outside the arc.
• Thomas added 17 points, adding three assists and three steals.
• Boyle finished with 11 points and Gibbs totaled 10 points.

For the Foes

• Kevin Lazdowsky had 17 points to lead the Cougars.
• Matt Prociak had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
• Arvel Chandler also reached double digits with 13 points.

Inside the Box Score

• DeSales shot 42.9 percent from the field as compared to 41.3 percent for the Cougars.
• DSU had a 43-34 advantage on the glass.

Up Next

• Game time for the regular season finale is set for 3:00 pm on Saturday at Delaware Valley University.