WEST CHESTER, PA. -- Despite five players in double figures, Gwynedd Mercy could not hold off Division II West Chester as the Griffins fell 94-93 Saturday in the season opener for both teams.

Darnell Artis led GMercyU with a game-high 24 points as the senior added six rebounds and four assists. Julian Hyden added 15 points, nine boards, three blocks and three steals but it was the Golden Rams who erased a 26-point second-half deficit. The Griffins would get two tries after pulling within one point but a last-second attempt did not go.

Gwynedd would shoot over 60% in the first half and hit eight three-pointers in the stanza as they would turn a 26-22 hole into a 20-point lead at the half, going on a 33-9 run.

The Griffins would lead by as much as 26 (64-38) with just under 17 minutes to play. West Chester then went on a 21-9 run over a three-minute span to get the lead to single digits. Junior Paul Moore would hit two free throws to give GMercyU a 77-66 edge with 9:56 left. The Golden Rams would whittle their deficit down and would take their first lead since early in the first as Matt Wisely's layup put WCU up 84-83 with 5:34 to play.

Mike Wilson's three-point play gave West Chester a four-point edge before Artis would hit one of two from the line and later a bucket from Cedric Elleby to put the score 94-93 with 1:31 in regulation.

Hyden would come up with a big block on the next Golden Ram possession to give the ball back to the Griffins. After alternating timeouts, Hyden would get a look from downtown but Wisely came up with a block and Artis' final attempt was no good.

Moore scored 11 points off the bench while Elleby would finish with 19 points and six boards. Aaron Morgan chipped in 12. The team would shoot 47% (24-of-51) from the floor but attempt 50 free throws, making 36 tries.

Wisley recorded a double-double (16 points/10 rebounds). Mike Wilson led WCU with 22 points off the bench.

The Griffins resume play on Tuesday when they take on Arcadia in their home opener in the inaugural "Battle of Route 309" as part of a doubleheader with the women. The men tip it off at 8 p.m.