Lancaster, Pa. – (1/19/2026) – Gwynedd Mercy University sophomore guard Bruce Smith (Philadelphia, Pa.) earned the first Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Men's Basketball Weekly Honor Roll appearance of his collegiate career for his play in the Griffins' 1-1 week versus league rivals Marywood University (W, 81-76 on Jan. 14) and Neumann University (L, 68-72 on Jan. 17). Smith recorded 16 points, a rebound, and an assist in the road win over the Pacers before posting his first double-double in the Red and Gold with 21 points and 10 rebounds in a loss to the Knights.
 
Smith was joined on the AEC Men's Basketball Weekly Honor Roll by Pratt Institute junior forward Thomas Prendergast (Bayport, N.Y.), Saint Elizabeth University senior guard Tye-Rell Monroe (Rio Rancho, N.M.), as well as Neumann University senior guard D.J. Earl (Middletown, Del.) and senior forward Donte Dupriest (Philadelphia, Pa.), and Immaculata University fifth-year guard Dylan Crews (Philadelphia, Pa.) and junior guard Mandon Seapoe (Upper Darby, Pa.). The AEC Men's Basketball Player of the Week award was given to Marywood University junior guard Michel Loftin (Atlanta, Ga.) and the AEC Men's Basketball Defensive Player of the Week award went to Marymount University junior center C.J. Highsmith Jr. (Richmond, Va.).
 
Gwynedd Mercy University (10-5, 3-1) secured their third AEC win of the season with Wednesday night'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. Smith scored his 16 points in just 18 minutes. He also recorded a rebound and a steal.
 
The rivalry between Gwynedd Mercy University and Neumann University (11-4, 3-1) remained hot as the AEC foes faced off for the first time this season on Saturday. 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 Sayed, 50-48 (12:44), and junior guard 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. Smith was right Griffin at the right time for most of the contest; he scored 14 of the Griffins' last 22 first-half points and he finished the affair with his first double-double – 21 points, 10 rebounds - in the Red and Gold.
 
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.