Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (1/17/2026) - The rivalry between
Gwynedd Mercy University (10-5, 3-1) and Neumann University (11-4, 3-1) remained hot as the Atlantic East Conference (AEC) foes faced off for the first time this season at the Griffin Complex. The Red and Gold led early, 8-3 (17:20), but ultimately trailed the Knights by as many as eight points, 30-22 (6:34), before scoring the final bucket of the first half; 38-38 (0:16). In the second half, three pointers from junior guards
Mazen Sayed (Chichester, Pa.), 50-48 (12:44), and
Zaiyan Keys (Chichester, Pa.), 58-56 (8:29), gave the Griffins the led on two separate occasions, but neither advantage was long-lived as a Neumann University used slight advantages in rebounding (41-37), points in the paint (30-24), and second-chance points (12-8) to defeat Gwynedd Mercy University by a narrow 72-68 margin. Sophomore guard
Bruce Smith (Philadelphia, Pa.) was right Griffin at the right time for most of the contest; he recorded his first double-double in the Red and Gold with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Sayed came off the Gwynedd Mercy University bench for 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
Griffin Highlights
- Graduate guard Dylan Harris (Bloomsburg, Pa.), 3-2 (19:04), and senior guard D.J. Johnson (Norristown, Pa.), 6-2 (17:48), buried a pair of early threes to get Gwynedd Mercy University off to a good start.
- Smith was the man late in the first half, scoring 14 of the Griffins' last 22 points in the period. He finished the frame with 14 points, nine rebounds, and an assist.
- Sayed piloted the Red and Gold's rallying attempts. He scored 10 of his 13 points in the later frame with a pair of threes (2-of-2, 1.000) and four free throws (4-of-5, .800).
- Johnson was the only other Griffin in double figures; he paired 11 points with five rebounds and an assist.
- Harris was 3-of-7 (.429) from long range. His nine points came with four rebounds and a steal.
Gwynedd Mercy University continues their AEC schedule on Wednesday, January 21, when they visit Centenary University (N.J.) for a 6:00 p.m. tip-off.
