Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (12/14/2024) - Lebanon Valley College (5-3) became the latest on the Griffins' list of victims for 2024 as a 58.6% (17-of-29 3PT) shooting performance from long range, 23 assists on 30 baskets (30-of-63, .476), and
just four Red and Gold turnovers earned Gwynedd Mercy University (9-0) a 83-69 victory over the Dutchmen. Senior guard
Aquil Stewart (Philadelphia, Pa.) headlined Gwynedd Mercy University's impressive three-point shooting performance with his 6-of-11 (.545) clip. He led four Griffins in double figures with 20 points; senior guard
Mike Marable (Philadelphia, Pa.) (14 points), senior forward
Dom Thomas (Mullica Hill, N.J.) (13), and graduate guard
Shawn Summers Jr. (Montclair, N.J.) (12) were the others. The first led the Red and Gold in assists (8) and the second led them in rebounds (6).
Griffin Highlights
- Thomas canned his first three pointer of the contest to put Gwynedd Mercy University up 11 points, 25-14, with 8:21 remaining in the first half and he hit another just past the eight-minute mark to make the difference a dozen (12); 28-16 (7:52).
- After a Lebanon Valley College rally cut the Griffin advantage to two points, 28-26 (5:42), Marable led a Red and Gold rush that pushed the deficit back to 15 points, 45-30 (0:02), for intermission.
- In the second half, a reorganized Gwynedd Mercy University offense found the open shots early as they extended their lead to 21 points, 64-43 (12:32), in the first eight minutes.
- The Dutchmen eventually ran out of time in their comeback campaign; Thomas reestablished the Griffins' supremacy with the last of his three, threes (3-of-3, 1.000) at 3:23 (81-68) and a pair of Marable free throws put a bow on it with 33 seconds left on the clock; 83-69 (0:33).
- Stewart added a rebound and two assists to his points. Summers additionally provided three rebounds and two assists; prior to the game he was presented with a decorative ball to commemorate his 1,000th career point, which was scored in the Griffins' 92-47 win over Penn State Brandywine on November 23.
- Junior guard D.J. Johnson (Norristown, Pa.) was a factor as well with five points, four rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
Gwynedd Mercy University looks to win their 10th straight to open 2024 on Tuesday, December 17, when they visit Saint Elizabeth University for a 6:00 p.m. tip-off.
