Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (10/9/2026) – With the start of the 2026-2027 season just a month away, Gwynedd Mercy University Head Women's Basketball Coach Keith Mondillo is pleased to unveil the Griffins' upcoming schedule. "We'll see many familiar opponents this year, but with a new conference on the horizon we are going to also get a look at some of our future league rivals," said Coach Mondillo. "Teams like Messiah (University) and Elizabethtown (College) will certainly be a test, but they will help build our character and determination for the long haul." Led by captain Erin Eisenhart '26 and moments from various supporting cast members, the Gwynedd Mercy University finished the 2025-2026 season with an 8-17 overall record and a 5-9 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) mark that left them just shy of postseason berth. The Griffin captain finished the season with exactly 198 points (7.9/game) and 198 rebounds (7.9/game), leading the Red and Gold in both categories.
 
The Griffins' 2026-2027 season is scheduled to begin on Friday, November 6, with the Gwynedd Mercy University Tip-Off Tournament. The Red and Gold will serve as host to the four-team playoff with the Griffins playing Cedar Crest College in the 6:00 p.m. opener and Elizabethtown College and Ursinus College squaring off in an 8:00 p.m. contest; the losers will faceoff in a 1:00 p.m. consolation game on Saturday, November 7, with the winners following in a 3:00 p.m. championship.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University is 36-1 all-time against Cedar Crest College, including a 67-37 victory over the Falcons in 2018 (Jan. 24). The Bears earned their first win against the Griffins last year (L, 39-81 on Nov. 8), while the Blue Jays are new opponents for the Red and Gold. Junior forward Julianna DeFebbo (West Deptford, N.J.) led the Griffins against Ursinus College in the 2025-2026 Gwynedd Mercy University Tip-Off Tournament Consolation Game with seven points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Junior guard Kailyn Bell (Ridley Park, Pa.) was a factor as well with two points, three rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.
 
Four day later, on Wednesday, November 11 (6:00 p.m.), the Red and Gold returns to the Griffin Complex to host Arcadia University for their annual Battle of 309. Gwynedd Mercy University is 28-7 all-time against the Knights, who have won the last three meetings. Last year, Arcadia University's second-half surge proved too much for the Griffins in a 65-45 (Nov. 12) conclusion. DiFebbo finished the affair with a dozen (12) points, five rebounds, a block, and a steal, while Bell gave a strong two-way effort with seven points, two assists, two steals, and a block.
 
After battling the Knights, Gwynedd Mercy University will take their first road trip of the season when they travel to King's College (Pa.) for a 1:00 p.m. tip-off on Saturday, November 14. The Griffins are 17-9 all-time against the Monarchs and they have won the last four meetings, including last year's 56-50 (Nov. 15) triumph. A dominant start and a clutch fourth quarter the Red and Gold to its first victory of the season. They owned the glass all afternoon - 51–37 – leading to 12, critical, second-chance points and kept the Monarch's on their heels with 20 forced turnovers directly leading to 15 points. Bell made her presence felt on both ends of the court with nine points, seven rebounds, and a game-high six assists, and two steals.
 
On Wednesday, November 18, Gwynedd Mercy University will return to the Griffin Complex to host Rutgers-Camden for a 6:00 p.m. contest. The Griffins are 1-2 all-time against the Raiders, including last year's 76-47 (Nov. 19) loss. The Red and Gold finished with 37 total rebounds and 20 points off turnovers. Several players combined for 18 bench points, but DiFebbo delivered one of her most efficient outings of the season with 14 points on 6-of-9 (.667) shooting, four rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
 
Two days later, on Friday, November 20, Gwynedd Mercy University travels to Messiah University of a weekend tournament with the Falcons, Dickinson University, and the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). The bracket places the Griffins against Messiah University for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off before leaving them to fate for consolation (1:00 p.m.) and championship (3:00 p.m.) contests scheduled for Saturday, November 21. The Red and Gold lost their only meeting with the Falcons in 2021 (L, 68-98 on Nov. 13), while both the Devils and the Tigers are new opponents.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University's November schedule concludes on Tuesday, November 24, when they visit Swarthmore College for a 6:00 p.m. contest. The Garnet took a 3-2 edge in the all-time matchup with last year's 75-58 (Nov. 25) final. Senior forward Azzy Crumpton (Conshohocken, Pa.) powered Gwynedd Mercy's offense all night with 17 points, seven rebounds, an assist, and two steals.
 
December begins with a pair of home games as the Red and Gold welcomes Penn State Brandywine to the Griffin Complex on Tuesday, December 1 (6:00 p.m.), and Salisbury University on Saturday, December 5 (2:00 p.m.). These Nittany Lions are new to Gwynedd Mercy University, while the Sea Gulls hold a 6-3 all-time lead after last year's 68-53 (Jan. 3) finish. Senior guard/forward Rachel Dunn (Lansdale, Pa.) kept the Red and Gold competitive with 10 points, four rebounds, an assist, and seven steals.
 
The Griffins' only December road contest will take place at Penn State Harrisburg on Tuesday, December 8 (6:00 p.m.). Gwynedd Mercy University is 5-1 all-time against these Nittany Lions, including last year's 63-39 end. Three Griffins finished in double figures; Dunn headlined the trio with 14 points, seven rebounds, an assist, a block, and three steals, while junior guard Brianna McFadden (Fairless Hills, Pa.) joined her off the bench for 13 points, four assists, and a couple (2) steals.
 
First semester competition comes to a close with Saturday home games versus Goucher College (Dec. 12, 1:00 p.m.), and Delaware Valley University (Dec. 19, 1:00 p.m.). Gwynedd Mercy University is 1-0 all-time against the Gophers with a 2009 (W, 90-59) victory, but 8-7 all-time against the Aggies after a 64-54 (Dec. 15) loss last year. Crumpton led four Griffins in double figures with a dozen points; she also recorded five rebounds.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University's second semester slate begins on Tuesday, January 5, with a 6:00 p.m. tip-off at Albright College. The Griffins are 4-8 all-time and lost their last two against the Lions; last year, the Red and Gold found themselves on the short side of a narrow 62-59 (Dec. 6) conclusion. Sophomore guard Layla Verbit (Sellersville, Pa.) broke out for a career-high 18 points, five rebounds, and an assist in just 22 minutes of game action.
 
A little less than week later, on Monday, January 11, Gwynedd Mercy University hosts their last non-conference opponent with a 6:00 p.m. contest versus Penn State Berks. The Griffins are 3-0 all-time against these Nittany Lions, including a 91-33 victory in 2023 (Nov. 10).
 
AEC competition begins on Saturday, January 16 (1:00 p.m.), with a trip to Immaculata University. The Griffins will also host the Mighty Macs for a conference contest on Saturday, February 6 (1:00 p.m.). The Red and Gold is 35-20 all-time against Immaculata University, but have lost their last six meetings with the two-time AEC Champions. Last year, the Mighty Macs swept during a perfect league season with wins of 90-61 (Jan. 10) and 83-60 (Feb. 7); Crumpton (16 points, 4 rebounds) and Verbit (12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block) headlined the first meeting, while Dunn finished the second with her first of three double-doubles (16 points, 12 rebounds).
 
Centenary University (N.J.) is next on Gwynedd Mercy University's AEC slate with the Griffins hosting the Cyclones on Wednesday, January 20 (6:00 p.m.), and traveling to the John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center on Wednesday, February 10 (6:00 p.m.). The Griffins are 22-5 all-time against Centenary University; last year's meetings were split as the Red and Gold won at home in January (W, 57-53 on Jan. 21) and lost on the road in February (L, 56-64 on Feb. 18). Verbit shined in the first game with her only collegiate double-double (10 points, 12 rebounds), while McFadden was the Red and Gold's star in the second game with a career-high 21 points and seven rebounds.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University is scheduled to visit Pratt Institute on Saturday, January 23 (1:00 p.m.) and host the Cannoneers on Saturday, February 13 (1:00 p.m.). After last year's wins of 65-47 (Jan. 7) and 66-52 (Jan. 31), the Griffins are 2-0 all-time against Pratt Institute. The Red and Gold's second win over the Cyclones produced a balanced box score that included 10 points, four rebounds, an assist, and a steal from Verbit as well as 14 points, three rebounds, an assist, and five steals from McFadden.
 
Marymount University will keep Gwynedd Mercy University on the road for their January-27 (6:00 p.m.) contest, while the Griffins welcome the Saints to campus for a February-17 (6:00 p.m.) affair. The Red and Gold is 3-15 all-time against the Saints, but impressed in their last meeting as they celebrated a 56-44 (Feb. 11) triumph over Marymount University last year. Gwynedd Mercy University's stifling defense held the Saints to just 27.9% (.279; 17-of-61) shooting, while Dunn pieced together a career night with 19 points, 11 rebounds, an assist, a block, and five steals.
 
Saint Elizabeth University serves as the Griffins' final league opponent for the 2026-2027 as Gwynedd Mercy University hosts the Eagles on Saturday, January 30 (1:00 p.m.), and travels to Saint Joseph Hall for their regular-season finale on Saturday, February 20 (1:00 p.m.). The Red and Gold is 2-1 all-time against Saint Elizabeth University after splitting last year's meetings; the Eagles won the first contest (66-63 on Jan. 21) and the Griffins won the second (75-65 on Feb. 21). McFadden headlined the January meeting with 20 points, three rebounds, and two assists, while Crumpton (19 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block) and Dunn (16 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists) ensured the Griffins' revenge with outstanding efforts in the February finale.
 
The 2026-2027 AEC Women's Basketball Championship Tournament is scheduled to begin with semifinal contests on Tuesday, February 23. The championship will follow on Saturday, February 27.