Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (1/21/2026) - Gwynedd Mercy University (11-5, 4-1) shot well - 53.0% (35-of-66) from the floor, 55.6% (10-of-18) from three-point range, and 70.0% (14-of-20) from the free throw line - and did so in transition as they scored 22 off turnovers and 17 on the fastbreak in a 94-83 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) victory at Centenary University (N.J.) (5-11, 3-2). Six Griffins finished in doubles figures; the pride was led by senior guard
D.J. Johnson (Norristown, Pa.), who recorded four assists and two steals in addition to his first collegiate double-double; 16 points, 11 rebounds.
Griffin Highlights
- Gwynedd Mercy University hit their first two shots from long range, 6-3 (19:01), but they finally wrestled the lead back from Centenary University on a coast-to-coast run from junior guard Mazen Sayed (Chichester, Pa.) with 10:25 remaining; 22-20.
- Senior guard Jalen Snead (Philadelphia, Pa.) hit a jumper in the paint at 9:29 to give the Griffins again at 25-24 and the separation came six minutes later, when sophomore guard Zaiyin Keys (Chichester, Pa.) knocked a pair of long range baskets - 3:31 (37-32) and 3:05 (40-35) - to propel the Red and Gold to a 48-41 (0:08) halftime lead.
- The Cyclones cut the Griffin lead to a single point with 17:00 minutes to play; 51-50 (17:00). But, the Griffins quickly reestablished their cushion, finding a six-point lead with a Keys jumper just a minute later; 56-50 (16:09).
- Later, a series of fastbreak buckets from sophomore guard Bruce Smith (Philadelphia, Pa.) (11:01, 10:32) and Johnson (10:20) all but ensured the Gwynedd Mercy University victory.
- In addition to Johnson (16 points), Snead (16), graduate guard Dylan Harris (Bloomsburg, Pa.) (15), Keys (14), Sayed (11), and Smith (10) all finished in double figures.
- Johnson was 6-of-11 (.545) from the field, 2-of-4 (.500) from three-point range, and 2-of-3 (.667) from the free throw line.
- Snead added two rebounds, two assists, and a steal to his 16 points.
- Harris hit three, threes (3-of-6, .500) in his 15-point performance. He also recorded a rebound and three assists.
- Sayed added four rebounds and two steals to his 11 points.
- Smith's 10 points came with seven rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
Gwynedd Mercy University continues their AEC schedule on Saturday, January 24, when they visit Saint Elizabeth University for a 3:00 p.m. tip-off.
