CLARKS SUMMIT, PA. -- Gwynedd-Mercy held off Baptist Bible 85-79 Saturday afternoon to win their fourth-straight game led by freshman Darnell Artis (Philadelphia, Pa./LaSalle College H.S.), who poured in a career-high 26 points.

Artis was 8-of-14 from the floor including three treys, five rebounds, four assists, and a steal. He also went 7-of-8 from the line.

The Griffins (5-3, 4-0 CSAC) opened the game on a 7-2 run capped off by an Artis three-pointer.  However the Defenders would claw their way back to tie the game 14-14.  Baptist Bible then took their largest lead of the game 17-14 off of an Abe Valentine trey. From there, the Griffins would go on a 15-2 run from that point on and did not look back.  Sophomore John Davis (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone) capped off the run with one of his two three pointers on the day to give GM a 29-19 edge.  The Griffins would keep their ten-point advantage into the break, leading 43-33.

The Defenders wouldn't go quietly in the second stanza. The Griffins would take their largest lead off the game when senior Frank Champion (Northfield, N.J. / Mainland) connected on a lay-up to put GM up 73-57 with just over five minutes remaining in the game. Baptist Bible would cut the lead to five but the Griffins would connect on six free throws in the final minute of play to help ice the 85-79 win.

Four other Griffins scored in double figures; Davis and Champion scored 16 and 12 respectively, while senior Brendan Stanton (Harleysville, Pa. / Lansdale Catholic) connected on four long balls to score 14 points and freshman Tyler Barnes (New Egypt, N.J. / New Egypt) was one rebound shy of a double-double, totaling 11 points and nine caroms.

Baptist Bible (2-8, 0-4 CSAC) was led by Valentine with 20 points.  Teammate Daniel Dodd recorded a double-double scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds and Dan Decker added 15.

The Griffins shot 44.4% (28-of-63) from the field, connecting on nine three pointers and making 20 free throws.  The Defenders shot 64.4% (29-of-45) connecting on nine three balls as well.  Gwynedd however forced 25 defender turnovers.

Gwynedd-Mercy returns back to action Monday as they participate in the PNC Bank Royal Rumble hosted by University of Scranton. GM will take on long time rival Alvernia University with tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m. The 8 p.m. game pits the host Royals against St. Joseph's Long Island. The championship and consolation will take place on Tuesday night.