Phoenixville, PA - The University of Valley Forge Men's Basketball team welcomed Misericordia University to UVF on Friday evening.  After a game that went down to the wire, the Patriots fell by a final score of 90-86.

This Patriots team has shown that they will go out each and every night and give a complete effort.  With the score sitting at 12-11 in favor of the Cougars, Alex Sanchez drove to the basket and laid it up and in to give UVF a 13-12 lead.  The Sanchez layup sparked a 9-0 run that was capped off by a three from Cody Collins.  UVF held the lead over the next 5 minutes until Misericordia went on an 11-0 run to open up a 10 point lead.  In the closing seconds, Todd James nailed a jumper to bring UVF within single digits heading into halftime.  The score at the half was 46-38 in favor of Misericordia.

Misericordia came out in the second half and could not miss from behind the arc.  The Cougars converted 6 shots from long distance in the first 10 minutes of the second half.  The Cougars hot start to the half opened up an 18 point lead.  The Patriots needed to start chipping away at the deficit if they wanted to get back into the game.  On the next Patriot possession, Cody Collins set a screen and then popped out behind the 3-point line.  Todd James used the screen and then found Collins wide open on the pick and pop.  Collins nailed the trey to bring the Cougar lead down to 15.  From that point on the Patriots went to work.  UVF used a 15-4 run over the course of the next 5 minutes to get within 7.   

Down by 10 with 2:30 remaining, Quinyon Mays drove to the basket and put a shot that went up and in.  After forcing a tough shot, the Patriots got the stop on defense they needed.  Arthur Wilborn received a pass from Todd James.  Wilborn rose up and buried his second three of the game.  With under a minute left in the game, Quinyon Mays found himself wide open.  Mays drilled a three to bring the Patriots within just 5 with 26 seconds remaining.  With time running out, the Patriots were forced to foul.  Misericordia's Jason Kenny made two free throws to bring the Cougar lead back to 5.  Quinyon Mays continued his hot shooting when he converted on his second three to bring the Patriots within 2.  Unfortunately, the Cougars Jason Kenny made two more free throws that sealed the game for Misericordia.  The Patriots fell by a final score of 90-86.
 
Coaches quote

DJ Damazo said: "I am very proud of our effort tonight.  I told our guys at the end of the game that playing that hard is the expectation of every possession going forward.  Misericordia is one the best teams we will play this season and we competed well with them.  We still have a long way to go but we will continue to get better every day."

A Look at the Numbers
The Patriots were led offensively by Alex Sanchez (26 pts) and Quinyon Mays (18pts).  Five Patriots scored in double figures.  UVF won the rebounding battle.  Valley Forge grabbed 38 boards compared to 32 by the Cougars.  Misericordia was 15 of 46 from the 3-point line while UVF was 10 of 27. 
 
Up Next
The Patriots will hit the road when they travel to York, PA to take on the Nittany Lions of Penn State York on Wednesday, December 5^th.  Tip-off is set for 7:00 pm.