Spencer Named AEC Men’s Basketball Defensive Player Of the Week, Clark Collects Honor Roll Mention
Lancaster, Pa. – (11/8/2021) – Graduate forward Donaven Spencer (Sicklerville, N.J.) and sophomore guard Manny Clark (Pottsgrove, Pa.) were respectively recognized as the Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Men’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Week and Weekly Honor Roll mention after their contributions to Gwynedd Mercy University’s wins at last weekend’s PurpleStride Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Tip-Off Classic. In victories over Delaware Valley University (W, 98-79 on 11/6) and Shenandoah University (W, 71-62 on 11/7), Spencer captained the Griffin defense with 15 rebounds and five steals while averaging 12.5 points-per-game (PPG) and four assists-per-game (APG). Meanwhile, Clark averaged a team-high 18.0 PPG, 6.5 rebounds-per-game (RPG), and 3.5 APG, in addition to a pair of blocks and four steals.
Gwynedd Mercy University (2-0) welcomed Delaware Valley University (0-2) as well as Shenandoah University (0-2), and Neumann University (2-0) to the Griffin Complex this weekend for the PurpleStride Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Tip-Off Classic. On Saturday, November 6, the Griffins thrilled the Griffin Complex crowd with a high-paced 98-79 victory over the Aggies in the second game of the night. Gwynedd Mercy University came out hot under the direction of sophomore guard Aziz Parker (Westhampton, N.J.), who posted a game-high 25 points with a 7-of-11 (.636) effort from the floor that included 4-of-4 (1.000) success rate from downtown and was accompanied by a 7-of-8 (.875) performance from the free throw line. He also recorded two rebounds, two assists, and a steals. Three Griffins joined Parker in double figures; Clark offered 24 points, while Spencer scored 15 points and recorded team-highs in rebounds (8), assists (5), and steals (5).
On Sunday, November 7, a relentless defense (15 steals, 3 blocks) and a balanced offense led by graduate guard Keith Otto (Langhorne, Pa.) (15 points) earned Gwynedd Mercy University a 71-62 victory over Shenandoah University (0-2). Otto added two rebounds, an assist, and three steals to his team-high 15 points. But he was one of five Griffins in double figures as senior guard Ty Jones (Harlem, N.Y.) (13 points), Clark (12), senior guard Jaye’Lyn Peebles (Chester, Pa.) (11), and Spencer (Sicklerville, N.J.) (10 points) joined him there. Spencer added a team-high seven rebounds and three assists to his points, while Clark added six rebounds, three assists, a block, and two steals to his dozen points.
Gwynedd Mercy University returns to the Griffin Complex on Thursday, November 11, when they host Alvernia University in a 6:00 p.m. contest.
