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Gwynedd-Mercy 64, Neumann 60
BOX SCORE
ASTON, PA. -- Senior
Frank Champion (Northfield, N.J./Mainland) scored his 1,000th career point in Gwynedd-Mercy's 64-60 win at Neumann to help lock up the #2 playoff seed in the upcoming CSAC Tournament.
The Griffins (15-10, 14-4 CSAC) will get a first-round bye and host a semifinal round game here on Tuesday, February 19th.
Sophomore
Justin Knight (Mays Landing, N.J./Oakcrest) tied a career-high with 23 points while freshman
Darnell Artis (Philadelphia, Pa./LaSalle College H.S.) chipped in 17. Champion finished with 10 points and snared a team-high seven rebounds. He didn't hit the career milestone until the second half, on a layup at the 11:24 mark.
Neumann (12-13, 11-7 CSAC) led the entire first half, as the Knights shot 46% while the Griffins were on a 34% pace. The roles reversed in the second as Gwynedd was hitting on a similar 46% clip while Neumann regressed to a 34% mark.
The second half also had its drama, as the teams had seven ties and traded leads on seven occasions. GM, who took their first lead early in the second, went ahead for good with just over a minute left on a jumper from Knight to give Gwynedd a 62-60 edge. Neumann would turn the ball back over on the ensuing possession on an offensive foul. After a few fouls from Neumann to get into the bonus, Artis was able to hit twice from the free-throw line with 11 seconds to account for the final score.
TaVaune Griffin collected 13 points and 12 rebounds for Neumann. Terrance Clark added 12 and Rich Whitten netted 11.
Gwynedd will find out who they play as first-round action begins on Saturday. #6 Centenary will travel to #3 Keystone while Neumann drops to the #5 seed and will play at #4 seeded Immaculata. Top-seeded Cabrini and #2 Gwynedd-Mercy will await the winners for semifinal round play on Tuesday.
