VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton men's basketball (2-4) ended the first half with a 27-8 run and went on to defeat visiting Misericordia (3-1) 69-58 Wednesday night at Dr. Bai Lee Court at the Events Center.

Junior guard Ryan Richardson hit seven 3-pointers and scored a game-high 21 points and senior center Demetrius Lilley notched his conference-leading fourth double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Binghamton played the game with seven available players as they continue to be decimated by early-season injuries.

"Congratulations to Misericordia for coming in and putting up a good fight," head coach Levell Sanders said. "They made a lot of shots and were energetic and I wish them good luck the rest of the season. I thought as a team for the most part we were locked in defensively. It was one of those games when we were trying to mix and match and patch some things up and we are a little shorthanded right now ... but it was a good opportunity to get up and down the floor. We will take the win and try to get better for the next game." 

The Division III Cougars led 16-11 more than halfway through the first half before the Bearcats used the convincing run to end the period and take a 38-24 halftime lead. Richardson tallied 12 of his points during the run, which spanned 9:06. He hit 6-of-8 from 3-point range in the first half and wound up 7-for-12 for the game. Lilley had 10 of his points in the first half, when the Bearcats shot 54%. 

In the second half, junior guard Bryson Wilson scored 11 of his 14 points and Binghamton extended its lead to as many as 22 points before Misericordia used a 10-0 closing run to tighten the final margin.

Junior forward Zyier Beverly had 11 points and eight rebounds and sophomore forward Stephan Snagg pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds. 

The Bearcats next head to Buffalo for two games at the Canisius Queen City Classic on Saturday and Sunday.