(Photo courtesy of Juniata Athletics)

HUNTINGDON, PA. -- Gwynedd Mercy took on Delaware Valley at the Juniata College Holiday Tournament on Friday, but the Aggies held off the Griffins, 58-54.

GMercyU will take on St. Lawrence, who fell to the host Eagles in the day's other matchup, in the consolation game tomorrow at noon. Juniata will take on Del Val in the championship at 2 p.m.

Rookie Sydney Thompson led Gwynedd (5-4) with 16 points and six rebounds, hitting four of the team's nine three-pointers. Julianna Hoisington added 11 points but the Griffins' late push came up a bit short, getting within two points twice in the final minute.

Del Val got ahead of Gwynedd in the first quarter, opening up a 17-5 lead, but the Griffins used a three-point play from Rebecca Fuehrer to get within eight heading into the second. GMercyU chipped at the deficit in the second, using a three from Thompson to get within 24-21 late in the stanza. The squad trailed just 26-22 at the half.

A bucket from Marisa Sullivan was the end of a 7-1 run to start to third and gave the Griffins their first lead. Thompson would hit from downtown later in the period to give Gwynedd its largest lead (36-30). The team held a 40-37 edge after the third.

After Del Val took a 47-43 lead, Susan Bossler connected from beyond the arc to give Gwynedd a 48-47 advantage with just over three minutes to go. The Aggies scored the next six points over the next 2:35 to go ahead for good. Bossler and the Griffins did not go out quietly, as she hit again from three to get within 53-51 with 28 ticks left. The Aggies hit one of two at the free throw line, giving the Griffins a chance, but a three attempt was no good and rebounded by Del Val. Two more free throws made the deficit 56-51 before Hoisington hit a three to make it a two-point contest with just nine seconds to play.

Del Val hit their ensuing free throws and a three attempt did not fall to help cement the final score.

Ashley Smink led the Aggies (3-7) with a game-high 21 points. Monika Smallwood added a double-double, finishing with 10 point and 11 boards.