Stewart and Snead Sweep AEC Men’s Basketball Weekly Awards
Lancaster, Pa. – (12/16/2024) – Gwynedd Mercy University senior guard
Aquil Stewart (Philadelphia, Pa.) and junior guard
Jalen Snead (Philadelphia, Pa.) were respectively named the
Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Men’s Basketball Player and Defensive Player of the Week for their play in the Griffins’ recent victories over Cairn University (W, 73-70 on Dec. 9) and Lebanon Valley College (W, 83-69 on Dec. 14). Stewart contributed nine points, four rebounds, an assist, and two steals to the win over the Highlanders before catching fire - 6-of-11 (.545) from long range – in a 20-point performance against the Dutchmen. Meanwhile, Snead was equally impressive off the Griffin bench with suffocating defense and playmaking ability in transition. He recorded four points, a rebound, six assists, and two steals against Cairn University, then offered one point, three rebounds, five assists, a block, and two steals against Lebanon Valley College.
The AEC Weekly Honor Roll included Immaculata University senior guard Dylan Crews (Philadelphia, Pa.), Marywood University senior guard Brendan Franko (Wantage, N.J.), and Pratt Institute sophomore guard Cameron Windt (Winter Springs, Fla.).
Gwynedd Mercy University scored the first nine points of the contest, 9-0 (16:52), and led Cairn University (6-3) by as many as 16 points, 32-16 (4:05), before taking a 36-24 lead into intermission. In the second half, early turnovers allowed the Highlanders to take a brief lead, 50-49 (9:50), before a three-point play from senior forward
Dom Thomas (Mullica Hill, N.J.) (52-50, 9:05) and a three pointer from sophomore guard
Justin Savage (Philadelphia, Pa.) (55-50, 8:03) gave the Griffins just enough cushion to withstand in a 73-70 final.
On Saturday, Lebanon Valley College (5-3) became the latest on the Griffins' list of victims for 2024 as a 58.6% (17-of-29 3PT) shooting performance from long range, 23 assists on 30 baskets (30-of-63, .476), and just four Red and Gold turnovers earned Gwynedd Mercy University (9-0) an 83-69 victory over the Dutchmen. Stewart’s impressive three-point shooting headlined Gwynedd Mercy University's performance, while Snead’s defense allowed the Griffins to distance themselves in the final few minutes of the affair.
Gwynedd Mercy University looks to win their 10th straight to open 2024 on Tuesday, December 17, when they visit Saint Elizabeth University for a 6:00 p.m. tip-off.
