GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA -- Elizabethtown defeated Gwynedd-Mercy 77-76 in a nail bitter at the Griffin Complex Thursday night to kick start the New Year.

The Griffins paced three players in double figures. Sophomore Justin Knight (Mays Landing, N.J. / Oakcrest) led GM with 16 points, 10 of which came in the second half. Junior Colin Gates (Boca Raton, Fl. / Grandview Prep) added 15 points and freshman Darnell Artis (Philadelphia, Pa. / LaSalle College H.S) chipped in 10 in a game that looked to be a shootout early on.

Gwynedd (5-6) jumped out early to take an 11-4 advantage with Knight connecting on a three pointer.  The Blue Jays would battle back to tie the contest 18-18 with just under twelve minutes remaining in the half, however the Griffins would stretch their lead back to seven this time with Gates connecting on a long ball to put GM on top, 31-24.  The teams would combine for 17 three-pointers in the first 20 minutes. E-Town's Joe Schwalm connected from downtown to cap an 8-0 run and later his putback off a miss as the buzzer sounded gave the Blue Jays a 45-42 lead into the break.

Elizabethtown (3-7) kept their momentum going in the second half when Joe Bodnar connected on a lay-up to take a 58-50 lead. The Griffins would be able to chip away and cut the lead to one, but then another run by Elizabethtown put them back on top (70-61), with under seven minutes remaining.  Gwynedd kept it close, fighting to cut the lead to one point twice down the stretch with Gates and Artis connecting on lay-ups. With less than five seconds remaining and with no timeouts, the Griffins had two opportunities to win the game but missed both opportunities.

GM shot (26-of-62) 41.9% from the floor and connected on eleven three pointers. Elizabethtown shot (28-of-60) 46.7% from the field connecting on ten long balls. The Blue Jays placed three players in double figures.  Andrew Mantz recorded a double-double leading all scorers with 18 points and pulling down 14 rebounds. Ben Cable added 14 points connecting on four three pointers and Bodnar chipped in 12 off the bench.

The Griffins outrebounded Elizabethtown, 41-39. Gates led Gwynedd with nine caroms and senior Frank Champion (Northfield, N.J. / Mainland) grabbed eight.

Gwynedd returns home Monday night hosting CSAC opponent Centenary. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. here at the Griffin Complex.