Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (1/28/2026) - Gwynedd Mercy University (12-6, 5-2) ran out of time in tonight's Atlantic East Conference (AEC) home game versus Marymount University (10-7, 7-0) as the Griffins rallied from a 50-42 (9:14) second-half deficit to briefly lead, 59-58 (1:33), before relying on the outcome of a last-second heave. Unfortunately, senior guard D.J. Johnson (Norristown, Pa.) never really had a chance with two Saint defender draped all over his last-second shot of the 60-59 (0:27) final. Sophomore guard Bruce Smith (Philadelphia, Pa.) was around the basket all night as he finished the contest with 18 points, seven rebounds, an assist, and two steals. Off the bench, junior guard Mazen Sayed (Chichester, Pa.) overcame a poor shooting night (2-of-10, .200) with a perfect performance at the free throw line (6-of-6, 1.000), three rebounds, and an assist.

Tonight's AEC contest was the Griffins Morgan's Message Night; Morgan's Message mission is to amplify stories, resources, and expertise to strengthen student-athlete mental health, build a community by and for athletes through peer-to-peer conversations and provide a platform for advocacy. For more information about Morgan's Message, please visit; https://www.morgansmessage.org/

Griffin Highlights

• Gwynedd Mercy University found themselves down by 10 points, 29-19 (2:45), late in the first half; a pair of Sayed free throws (29-21, 2:12), a three point basket from graduate guard Dylan Harris (Bloomsburg, Pa.) (29-24, 1:32), and a pair of free throws (29-26, 0:59) from senior guard Jalen Snead (Philadelphia, Pa.) put them in line for a four-point, 32-28 (0:15) halftime deficit.
• In the second half, the Saint lead slipped to eight points (44-36, 13:02), before Smith willed the Griffins to back with buckets at 12:09 (40-44), 9:51 (42-47), 7:27 (47-52), 6:54 (49-52), 5:27 (53-54), and 1:33 (59-58).
• The Red and Gold made the most of their free throw opportunities with a 11-of-12 (.917) effort from the charity stripe.
• Johnson finished with nine points, two rebounds, an assist, and two steals,
• Harris also finished just five points, but he was effective elsewhere with a team-high eight rebounds and a steal.
• Snead finished with nine points, five rebounds, and two assists.

Gwynedd Mercy University continues their AEC schedule this Saturday, January 31, when they host Pratt Institute for a 3:00 p.m. tip-off.