Box Score

DALLAS, Pa. -- Even though Susquehanna's men's basketball team trailed by 11 points mid-way through the second half, timely free throw shooting down the stretch helped the Crusaders escape with a 61-56 non-conference victory at Misericordia.

SU (2-5) found themselves down 48-37 to the Cougars (4-3) with 8:46 remaining in regulation before rallying behind several foul shots and quick buckets by freshman Spencer Ortmyer (York, Pa. / Central York)  that helped SU get back into the contest.

Misericordia was within striking distance until Mike Perillo (Holmdel, N.J. / Holmdel) knocked down a pair of foul shots with three seconds remaining to seal the first road win this season for SU.

Ortmyer led SU in scoring for the second-straight game, pouring in a game-high 20 points and grabbing eight rebounds.

Harvey Pannell (Bloomfield, Conn. / St. Thomas More) chipped in with 10 points and Brandon Hedley (Silver Spring, Md. / Salisbury Prep.) came off the bench and provided a spark almost instantly, scoring five points, grabbing six rebounds and dishing out six assists. As a team, the Crusaders shot 77 percent (17-of-22) from the charity stripe.

Early in the game, the Crusaders were ahead 26-14 before the Cougars responded with a 11-0 run of their own to close the first period, trimming the SU lead to 26-25 at halftime.

The lead went back-and-forth to begin the second half until Misericordia jumped out their 11 point advantage. SU shooting then took off, with the Crusaders going on an 11-2 spurt highlighted by several field goals by Pannell and Ortmyer.

Misericordia had two players finish in double figures, with Cael Evens scoring a team-best 14 points.

The Crusaders are back in action on Friday at 6 p.m. when they play Wilkes in the PNC Bank Monarch Classic hosted by King's (Pa.)