Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (1/3/2024) - With the start of a new year meant the start of Atlantic East Conference (AEC) competition for the Griffins. Gwynedd Mercy University (7-7, 0-1) played host to Neumann University (11-4, 1-0). With the score being 47-33 to start the fourth quarter the Griffins would outscore the Knights 27-16 in the final ten minutes of the contest, but would just fall short in the 63-60 defeat. Senior guard Ava Casale (Washington Township, N.J.) finished with a team-high 17 points with two rebounds and two steals. Casale was 5-of-11 (55%) from the field and was hot from beyond the arc going 4-of-6 (66%).
 
Griffin Highlights:

• Gwynedd Mercy struggled mightily in the first half as the team finished with 14 turnovers in the first half and shot 15-of-37 (41%) from the floor allowing the Griffins to only put up 20 points going into the locker room.
• Gwynedd Mercy University had multiple players with double digit points including Senior guard Lynzie Eggers (Washington Township, N.J.) and senior guard Gabby Marinacci (Collegeville, Pa.). The former was 4-of-12 (33%) from the field with 13 points, while the latter finished with 11 points on 4-of-10 (40%) shooting.
• The Griffins had a valiant effort in the paint as they outrebounded Neumann 43-38 and only allowing five second chance points compared to Gwynedd's 15. 
• Gwynedd Mercy struggled from the charity stripe as they were 14-of-25 (56%). 

 
Gwynedd Mercy University plays their final non-conference opponent this season when they travel to Gallaudet University on Saturday, January 6th, for a 2:00 p.m. tipoff.