Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (2/21/2025) - Even though Neumann University (18-7, 9-3) held the league's leading scorer - graduate guard
Shawn Summers Jr. (Montclair, N.J.) - to just two points in the first half, Gwynedd Mercy University (21-4, 9-3) still led the Knights at intermission; 39-33 (2:13). In the second half, Summers found his touch as he hit 9-of-11 (.818) from the field and both of his free throws (2-of-2, 1.000), while grabbing four rebounds, and providing two assists in an 82-78 (0:18) Atlantic East Conference (AEC) regular-season finale. Summers finished with 23 points, but he was greatly supported by the first-half performances of senior forward
Dom Thomas (Mullica Hill, N.J.) and sophomore forward
Travon Mack (Coatesville, Pa.); their superb interior defense combined to produce 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal during the opening frame.
Griffin Highlights
- Gwynedd Mercy University came away from the opening back-and-forth with a layup, 14-13 (13:55), from junior guard Jalen Snead (Philadelphia, Pa.), but it was big block from Mack and Snead's location of junior guard D.J. Johnson (Norristown, Pa.) for another basket in the paint, 16-13 (13:27), that gave the Griffins a confident edge.
- The Red and Gold used suffocating defense as well as clutch baskets from senior guard Mike Marable (Philadelphia, Pa.) (36-33, 2:59) and Thomas (39-33, 2:13) to take a six-point lead into the locker room.
- In the second half, did not surrender the lead in the second half. However, they expanded their advantage to as many as 10 points, 64-54 (8:34), only to wiggle away from narrow 68-66 (5:42), with a Summers three-point play just after the five-minute mark; 71-66 (4:52).
- Thomas put final nails in the Knight's coffin with an open layup just after the two-minute mark, 77-72 (1:50), and a celebratory three with 52 seconds to go; 80-74 (0:52).
- The Griffins shut down the Neumann University perimeter offense as the Knights shot just 1-of-12 (.083) effort from beyond the arc.
- The Red and Gold also disrupted the Knights' flow for 21 turnovers.
- In addition to his 23 points, Summers finished with seven rebounds, five assists, a block, and a steal.
- Thomas totaled 17 points, two rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
- Mack offered four points, six rebounds, two assists, four blocks, and a steal.
- Senior guard Aquil Stewart (Philadelphia, Pa.) also finished in double figures; he supported 10 points with three rebounds and an assist.
Point differential during the reguar season separated Neumann Nuiversity as the #1 seed for the upcoming AEC Men's Basketball Championship Tournament. Gwynedd Mercy University and Marymount University await the outcome of a coin flip to determine the higher seed (#2/#3) and home team for the Wednesday, February 26-semifinal.
2024-2025 AEC MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
