Lancaster, Pa. – (2/18/2024) – With the conclusion of the regular and conference seasons, league commissioner Jessica Huntley announced the seeding and schedule of competition for the upcoming Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Women's Basketball Championship Tournament. Late-season league wins over Centenary University (NJ) (W, 66-64 on Jan. 31) and Marywood University (W, 77-46) earned Gwynedd Mercy University the fifth seed; the Griffins will travel to #4 Centenary University on Monday, February 19, for a 7:00 p.m. First Round tipoff.
   
Monday night's AEC First Round schedule also includes a 6:00 p.m. tipoff in Aston, Pennsylvania, between #6 Marywood University and #3 Neumann University. The winner of both First Round contests will advance to the AEC Semifinals; #1 Marymount University (6:00 p.m., versus lowest remaining seed) and #2 Immaculata University (7:00 p.m.) await competition on Wednesday, February 21, with an AEC Championship bout scheduled for Saturday, February 24, at the home of the highest remaining seed.

Gwynedd Mercy University and Centenary University split their AEC season series with the Cyclones winning an overtime final, 85-77, at the Griffin Complex on January 10 and the Griffins getting revenge with a 66-64 victory at John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center on January 31. In the initial battle, a career night – 18 points, one rebound, five assists, and three steals – from senior guard Gabby Marinacci (Collegeville, Pa.) and a double-double (15 points, 11 rebounds) from senior forward Natalie O'Neill (Philadelphia, Pa.) led the Red and Gold. The grudge match saw Gwynedd Mercy University end a nine-game losing streak with a game-winning baseline drive from senior guard Lynzie Eggers (Washington Township, N.J.). Eggers finished the affair with a team-high 23 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Graduate forward Sydney Kesselman (Philadelphia, Pa.) headlined a 53-42 rebounding advantage with nine rebounds; she finished with a dozen (12) points while making an assist and turning aside three Cyclone shots.

Eggers leads Gwynedd Mercy University in points (470) with a team-best 18.8 points per game (PPG). She shot 37.8% (155-of-410) from the field and 77.6% (132-of-170) from the free throw line while averaging 4.9 rebounds per game (RPG) with totals of six blocks and 40 steals on defense. Senior guard Ava Casale (Washington Township, N.J.) supported with 10.3 PPG and served as the Griffins' top perimeter threat with 50 baskets from beyond the arc. O'Neill led on the glass with 8.2 RPG and helped Kesselman – 50 blocks and 21 steals – anchor the Red and Gold defense with 15 blocks and 25 steals. Marinacci was consistent at point with 5.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 3.1 assists per game (APG), and 2.2 steals per game (SPG).
 
The 2023-2024 AEC Women's Basketball Final Regular Season Standings and Championship Tournament Schedule are provided below and available using the provided links.
 
2023-2024 AEC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL STANDINGS
 

RANK.SCHOOL	AEC	OVERALL
1. Marymount University	10-0	20-5
2. Immaculata University	7-3	15-10
3. Neumann University	5-5	16-9
4. Centenary University (NJ)	4-6	15-9
5. Gwynedd Mercy University	2-8	9-16
6. Marywood University	2-8	8-15

FIRST ROUND - Monday, February 19
#6 Marywood University at #3 Neumann University, 6:00 p.m.
#5 Gwynedd Mercy University at #4 Centenary University (NJ), 7:00 p.m.
 
SEMIFINALS - Wednesday, February 21
#1 Marymount University vs. lowest remaining seed, 6:00 p.m.
#2 Immaculata University vs. next lowest remaining seed, 7:00 p.m.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP - Saturday, February 24
Winners of semifinals at the highest remaining seed.