ST. DAVIDS, Pa.- A nine minute second-half stretch with just two points proved to be too much to overcome as Eastern University Men's Basketball dropped a 59-56 Freedom Conference home game to Misericordia. The visiting Cougars only scored six points in the run, but in the end, that period of offensive ineffectiveness proved to be too much and the Eagles (11-9, 4-6 Freedom) dropped their fourth straight game.

Alex Nelson snapped the freeze with a three pointer at the seven minute mark to pull the Eagles to within three at 46-43. The Cougars scored eight straight on a pair of Ethan Eichhorst three-pointers and a tough 13 footer from Sean Bieski in the lane. 

Down 51-40 with under five minutes to play, the Eagles battled back and had a chance  to grab the lead in the final seconds, but a Bieski blocked a Martin Soaries lay-up attempted with three seconds to play and Matt Greene made both ends of the one and one to put Misericordia up 59-56. Soaries had a long three-point attempt rim out as time expired.

Alex Nelson scored nine of his game-high 21 points in the final five minutes. The sophomore forward hit 4-5 three-pointers on the afternoon. Collin Whipple joined Nelson in double-figures with 11 points.

Misericordia built an early six point edge, and the two teams traded baskets for  much of the first half. The Eagles, who surrendered several early three-pointers, took away that option and eventually tied the contest at 26-26 with just under three minutes to play. After each team split a pair of free throws, the Cougars scored the final five points of the first half to pull out to a 32-27 lead at intermission.

Misericordia's Matt Greene made 3-3 three point attempts and all there of his free throws to lead all scorers with 12 at the break. Greene finished with 19 to tie Eichhorst for team-high honors.

The Eagles no longer control their own destiny for the post-season but would have a reasonable chance if they were able to win each of their next four games. That challenge starts on Wednesday at Wilkes University.