Scranton, Pa. - (1/14/2026) - Gwynedd Mercy University (10-4, 3-0) secured their third Atlantic East Conference (AEC) win of the season with tonight's 81-76 victory at Marywood University (8-6, 1-2). The Griffins led for a majority of the contest and recovered from the Pacers' brief second-half advantage behind the aggressive play of junior guard Mazen Sayed (Chichester, Pa.); he converted a late three-point play to secure a 61-60 lead with 10:28 to play. He then found sophomore forward Kelvin Crawford (Darby, Pa.) for another and-one, 64-60 (9:43), that spurred the Red and Gold for their eventual five-point triumph. Senior guard D.J. Johnson (Norristown, Pa.) led four Griffins in double figures with 21 points; he also recorded seven rebounds, eight assists, a block, and three steals. Sayed was another as he finished the affair with 14 points, five rebounds, a steal, and match Johnson for the team-lead in helpers with eight off the Gwynedd Mercy University bench.

Griffin Highlights

• Gwynedd Mercy University separated early thanks to a series of three point baskets; first Harris (3-3, 19:12), then senior guard Jake Okon (Yonkers, N.Y.) (6-5, 18:09), sophomore guard Bruce Smith (Philadelphia, Pa.) (17:09, 16:09), and Johnson to grab the Griffins their first double-digit lead; 19-9 (14:38).
• The Griffins' lead did not surpass a dozen (12) points, 31-19 (9:31), in the first half and settled at six points for halftime; 44-38 (0:00), after a three-point, Pacer buzzer beater.
• The Red and Gold lost the lead with 13:02 remaining in the second half; 57-54. The Sayed and Crawford three-point plays saw to it that Gwynedd Mercy University recovered for the final stretch.
• Gwynedd Mercy University used a 40-32 rebounding advantage and held Marywood University to a 39.4% (26-of-66) shooting performance to offset the Pacers' perfect 12-of-12 (1.000) free throw performance and 16 of their own turnovers.
• Johnson was 7-of-9 (.778) from the floor and 6-of-8 (.750) from the free throw line, while piloting the Griffins to victory.
• Sayed was equally efficient with a 5-of-7 (.714) from the floor and 4-of-5 (.800) from the free throw line.
• Smith scored his 16 points in just 18 minutes. He also recorded a rebound and a steal.
• Graduate guard Dylan Harris (Bloomsburg, Pa.) was the fourth Griffin in double figures; he supported 10 points with six rebounds, three assists, a block, and two steals.

Gwynedd Mercy University returns to the Griffin Complex on Saturday, January 17, to continue their AEC schedule with a 3:00 p.m. tip-off versus Neumann University.