Radnor, Pa. - (2/18/2023) - Gwynedd Mercy University (13-12, 7-5) split their season series and secured the #3 seed in the upcoming Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Championship Tournament with today's narrow 66-64 victory at Cabrini University (10-15, 5-7). The Griffins held a comfortable 37-21 halftime lead and maxed their advantage out at 17 points, 40-23 (18:49) before Cabrini University used a 33-12 run that grabbed them a 56-55 lead with 3:40 to play. Junior guard Manny Clark (Pottsgrove, Pa.) and freshman guard D.J. Johnson (Norristown, Pa.) kept the Griffins on the Cavaliers' heels until the former's floater in the lane returned Gwynedd Mercy University to the lead in the closing seconds; 65-64 (0:25). A Vinson steal and a Clark free throw 66-64 (0:11) provided the extra point in the victory.

Griffin Highlights

• A pair of three-point baskets (12:52, 12:10) from junior guard JoHaan Vinson (Philadelphia, Pa.) separated the Griffins for an early nine-point, 17-8 (12:10), edge that grew to 16 points, 37-21 (0:50) by intermission.
• Vinson was 6-of-10 (.600) and totaled 14 points in the opening period; he finished with 19 points on a 8-of-15 (.533) shooting effort that came with six rebounds, a block, and two steals.
• Clark totaled 16 points with a pair of threes (2-of-8, .250) and four free throws (4-of-7, .571). He also recorded eight rebounds and a steal.
• Johnson finished with seven points, a team-high nine rebounds, four assists, and a steal.

With the win, Gwynedd Mercy University earns the #3 seed in the AEC Championship Tournament and will host #6 Marywood University in a 7:00 p.m. semifinal on Monday, February 20.