GLENSIDE, PA. -- In the nightcap of the Battle of Route 309 Classic, the Gwynedd Mercy University Men's Basketball team scored an 85-80 season-opening victory over host Arcadia on Tuesday night.

The Griffins were led by three double digit scorers led by a career-high 27 points by junior Rip Engel who knocked down a personal-best six three pointers on the evening. Cedric Elleby added 22 along with a game-high 11 rebound. Arron Goodman added 20 off the bench with 18 coming in the second half.

The Griffins took and early 16-6 advantage thanks to an Engel triple at the 17:42 mark. Arcadia stayed within reach throughout the stanza, but Goodman's layup gave GMercyU its largest lead of the period (35-26) with 5:51 left. The Griffins would take a 39-33 edge into the halftime break.

Matt Sommers connected on the first of his three second-half three pointers to give Gwynedd a 48-40 lead at 16:03 mark. Goodman completed a three-point play with the hoop and the harm with 6:14 free throw that gave the Griffins a 72-60 lead. Arcadia would battle back and cut their deficit to three 83-80 but the Goodman would grab a board off an Arcadia three-point miss and later get fouled where his two free throws with 18 ticks left put gave GMercyU ahead for good.

For the game the Griffins shot 29-of-59 (49.2%) from the floor, connecting on nine three pointers and making 18-of-29 (62.1%) chances at the line. In the second half alone, Gwynedd was 14-of-26 (53.8%). The Knights shot 27-of-65 (41.5%) making eight three-pointers and shooting 18-of-27 (66.7%) from the charity stripe. GMercyU never trailed in the contest.

Gwynedd returns back to action next Tuesday when they host Marywood in their home and CSAC opener starting at 7 p.m. at The Griffin Complex.