Stewart and Summers Jr. Star on AEC Men’s Basketball Weekly Honor Roll
Lancaster, Pa. – (11/25/2024) – Gwynedd Mercy University guards, senior
Aquil Stewart (Philadelphia, Pa.) and graduate
Shawn Summers Jr. (Montclair, N.J.) received
Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Men’s Basketball Weekly Honor Roll recognition for their play in the Griffins’ recent wins over Delaware Valley University (W, 94-86 on Nov. 19) and Penn State Brandywine (W, 92-47 on Nov. 23). Stewart played a big role in the Red and Gold’s victory over the Aggies with 32 points, before contributing nine points with two rebounds, seven assists, and four steals to the triumph over the Nittany Lions. Summers scored 20 points in both contests; his second basket (8-0, 17:15) versus Penn State Brandywine marked the 1,000
th point of his collegiate career.
Marywood University senior guard Brendan Franko (Wantagh, N.J.) was named the AEC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, while Marymount University fifth-year guard Marcus Stubbs (Boyds, Md.) garnered the AEC Defensive Player of the Week title. Stewart and Summers were joined on the AEC Weekly Honor Roll by Marymount University junior guard Isaac Harris (Cherryville, Pa.), Centenary University (N.J.) sophomore guard Naire Preston (Ewing, N.J.) and junior guard Michael Salvatore (Middlesex, N.J.), Immaculata University freshman guard Domenic Vacchiano (Blue Bell, Pa.) and senior guard John Flood (Philadelphia, Pa.), Neumann University senior guard Gary Francis (Trenton, N.J.), and Pratt Institute sophomore guard Cameron Windt (Winter Springs, Fla.).
Gwynedd Mercy University continued their early-season success with Tuesday night's 94-86 victory over Delaware Valley University. The Griffins played well off the tip, taking a 54-33 halftime lead on a 20-of-34 (.588) shooting performance that included eight threes (8-of-15, .533). Afterwards, a 15-of-22 (.682) free throw effort was just enough to preserve the Griffins' victory. The win was due large in part to Stewart’s performance; he hit 10-of-12 (.833) from the field with six (6-of-8, .750) three-pointers. He also hit six (6-of-7, .857) free throws in his best scoring performance as a member of the Red and Gold. Summers was a factor as well with 20 points, two rebounds, and an assist.
Gwynedd Mercy University held Penn State Brandywine to just a dozen (12) first-half points in Saturay's 92-47 matinee final at the Griffin Complex. The Red and Gold scored the first 16 points of the contest and proceeded to stake themselves a 30-point advantage, 42-12 (1:44) by suffocating the Nittany Lions to a 14.3% (4-of-28) shooting percentage and 14 turnovers. Gwynedd Mercy University bullied the PSU Brandywine with their 44-12 (0:39) first half lead; the deficit reached 40 points, 55-15, with 17:32 still to play and eclipsed 50 points, 76-25 (9:52), on a three point basket from graduate guard
Dylan Harris (Bloomsburg, Pa.) just past the 10-minute mark. Harris was one of many Griffins to contribute to 42 bench points, but junior guard
Devin Benson (Williamstown, N.J.) was the top producer with 11 points. Summers sparked the Red and Gold's impressive first half performance with all 20 of his points coming in the opening frame. In addition to his points, Summers provided five rebounds, two assists, a block, and two steals in just 18 minutes.
Stewart partnered his nine points with two rebounds, seven assists, and four steals.
Gwynedd Mercy University plays their last contest before the Thanksgiving holiday on Tuesday, November 26, when they host Juniata College for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.
