GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA. -- Starting off the New Year right, the Gwynedd Mercy University Women's Basketball Team remains undefeated in conference play after holding off the Knights of Neumann University, 77-76, on Tuesday evening. With the nail-biting win, the Griffins are now 9-3 overall and hold on to their spot atop the Colonial States Athletic Conference peak at 3-0.

Off to a running start, GMercyU managed to build a solid 23-8 lead after the first quarter of play as senior Chandler DiFebbo and junior Charlotte Kucowski each had eight points in the first period.However, the Knights were not ready to give in despite their slow start. Battling back before the break, the Knights succeeded in controlling the tempo of play by outscoring GM, 23-19, in the second quarter. As tensions mounted on the court, GM began to enter foul trouble while Neumann's Sarah Roberts hit a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer to cut the lead to 42-31.

As physical play continued in the third, the Knights managed to chip away at the Griffins double-digit lead, getting as close as six (56-50) with 1:57 to go in the stanza following a five-point swing off a three by Shauntel Williams and layup by JoHanna Metzger.

Up 58-52 at the beginning of the fourth, the Griffins were able to maintain a small lead despite the Knights efforts to catch up.A 7-0 run to stretch the advantage to 73-62 with 2:45 to play looked to be the back-breaker. However, trading off shots, the Knights pulled as close as five points with 46 seconds on the clock.

Following a Neumann timeout, two Griffin turnovers would allow the Knights to capitalize on offensive opportunities and pull within three (76-73) with just 37 seconds left in play after a Metzger jumper from the baseline.Down to the wire, Nicole Dombrowski would hit one of two at the free throw line on their next possession for a four-point edge.

Nafisa Saunders made things very interesting, sinking an improbable three-pointer to pull the Knights within one point with just 0.1 seconds on the board.After a Gwynedd timeout to discuss a late strategy, and the team using the option to advance the inbound, GM would hold on to stay unbeaten in CSAC play.

Nine players would register points for the Griffins in the close call, with three hitting double digits. Despite fouling out in the fourth, Kucowski led the way for the Griffins with her seventh double-double this season (17 points/10 rebounds) while chipping in four assists and a pair of blocks.Senior Olivia Bradford also added 17, while DiFebbo finished 14 and Nicole Dombrowski and Bianca Adams chipped in nine apiece. DiFebbo set a career-high with four blocks while Adams dished out a personal-best eight assists.

Metzger and Saunders led the Knights (4-8, 2-1 CSAC) with 24 points each. Metzger and AAliya Hayes each grabbed nine boards while Saunders went a perfect 13-for-13 at the free-throw line.

GM shot 28-for-59 (47.5%) from the field including a 16-for-29 stint in the first two quarters. The Knights rebounded from a 36% effort in the first 20 minutes to finish at a 26-for-54 (48.1%) clip.

Continuing conference action, the Griffins travel to Cabrini on Thursday, January 7th to take on the Cavaliers.Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m.