Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (2/25/2022) – Wednesday's (Feb. 23) 70-59 upset of #1 Marymount University advanced #4 Gwynedd Mercy University to their first appearance in the Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Championship. The title bout sends the Griffins to #2 Immaculata University, where the league rivals will meet for a 2:00 p.m. tip-off on Saturday, February 26. The Mighty Macs punched their ticket to the title game with a 66-56 semifinal win over #3 Cabrini University.
 
The Griffins and Mighty Macs split their 2021-2022 meetings with the visiting winning in each venture. On January 15, Gwynedd Mercy University (15-12, 7-5) made a critical stand midway through the overtime period (83-82, 2:45), forcing Immaculata University (17-8, 8-4) into a shot clock violation and capitalizing on it with a layup from junior forward Haley Crossley (Warminster, Pa.); 85-82, 2:39. The bucket propelled the Griffins to the eventual 95-91 triumph over the rival Mighty Macs. Crossley finished with her seventh double-double of the season thanks to a season-high 33 points and a dozen (12) rebounds; she was 11-of-15 (.733) from the field and 10-of-13 (.769) from the free throw line.
 
Sophomore guard Lynzie Eggers (Turnersville, N.J.) supported with 22 points, six rebounds, and three steals. Additional double-digit games came from junior guards Elise Sylvester (Pottstown, Pa.) and Kelly Owens (Schwenksville, Pa.); the former paired 18 points with four rebounds and five assists, while the latter provided 13 points, two rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Junior forward Cayla Sharkey (Lansdale, Pa.) offered two points, 13 rebounds, an assist, three blocks, and four steals in her return to the lineup.
 
The February 9 meeting was a different story as the AEC rivals exchanged quarters in what was an eventual 82-66 (0:17) victory for Immaculata University. The Mighty Macs took the opening frame thanks to a fast start (8-0, 6:13) and a last-second three pointer, 17-14 (0:05). But the Gwynedd Mercy University (12-11, 6-4) responded from a 30-17 (4:51) deficit with an 18-2 run to intermission; 35-32 (0:13). Unfortunately, the Griffins could not carry their favor to the second half, where the Mighty Macs gradually pushed their lead back to double digits, 51-39 (4:08), clung to a 56-51 (0:00) third-quarter edge, and distanced themselves from Gwynedd Mercy University in the final frame. The Griffins had trouble finding their shot - 20-of-71 (.282) - and lost the battle on the glass, 56-35, but forced Immaculata University into more turnovers, 15-10, and made the most of their free throws; 17-of-21 (81.0). Eggers was a big reason for the success at the charity stripe with her 10-of-11 (.909) effort; she led the Griffins in scoring with 22 points while additionally recording four rebounds, an assist, and three steals. Sylvester had a strong night with 19 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while sophomore guard Ava Casale (Sewell, N.J.) and Crossley respectively contributed 11 points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
 
With seven championships in program history, this is the Gwynedd Mercy University women's basketball program's first appearance in the AEC title game. Head Coach Keith Mondillo is no stranger to championship competitions as the Griffins' patriarch led his program to 13 straight championship games between 1997-1998 and 2009-2010. Under his leadership championship crowns came to Gwynedd Mercy University in 1999-2000 (Pennsylvania Athletic Conference), 2000-2001 (PAC), 2002-2003 (PAC), 2005-2006 (PAC), 2006-2007 (PAC), 2011-2012 (Colonial States Athletic Conference), and 2016-2017 (CSAC).