Center Valley, Pa. - (12/28/2025) - A last-possession basket for McDaniel College (7-2) was the conclusion of today's Opening Round contest at DeSales University's Al Senavitis Memorial Tournament as Gwynedd Mercy University (7-3) found themselves on the short end of a 61-60 (0:12) final. Looking for their answer to the Green Terror's late three, the Griffins took three timeouts in the final 12 seconds. The Red and Gold eventually got the ball in the hands of their lead scorer, but sophomore guard
Bruce Smith (Philadelphia, Pa.) was not able to connect on his game-winning attempt. Smith finished the affair with a game-high 20 points, three rebounds, an assist, a block, and two steals. The Griffins' senior captains,
D.J. Johnson (Norristown, Pa.) and
Jalen Snead (Philadelphia, Pa.) supported Smith with nine points, three rebounds, and three assists apiece; the former was 4-of-7 (.571) from the floor, while the latter was 5-of-6 (.833) from the free throw line.
Griffin Highlights
- Gwynedd Mercy University demonstrated control of the contest late in the first half, leaning on a 12-8 (12:00) perch to pace McDaniel College to a 29-25 (0:11) halftime spread. Big three-point buckets from senior guard Devin Benson (Williamstown, N.J.), 16-13 (9:31), and Dylan Harris (Bloomsburg, Pa.), 25-20 (3:00), were statement pieces in the Griffins' push toward break.
- With the Green Terror on their heels, the sustaining efforts of Smith, Johnson, and Snead, were fruitless as missed shots from long range did the Griffins in. Gwynedd Mercy University finished the affair 6-of-17 (.353) from long range, but they had their troubles in clutch moments with a 2-of-8 (.250) effort in the second half.
- Smith was 9-of-16 (.563) from the field and 2-of-4 (.500) from three-point range. Snead and senior guard Jake Okon (Yonkers, N.Y.) joined him on the Red and Gold's defensive front; the former with a pair of steals, and the latter with a steal and a late block.
- Benson was 2-of-5 (.400) from long range and he finished with eight points. Harris was 1-of-2 (.500) from beyond the arch in his seven-point performance.
- Like Benson, junior guard Mazen Sayed (Chichester, Pa.) was a valuable reserve with six points, four rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
Gwynedd Mercy University will face the hosting Bulldogs in the Al Senavitis Memorial Tournament Consolation Game, which is scheduled for a 4:00 p.m. tip-off on Monday, December 29.
