Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (2/28/2026) - From beginning to end the 2025-2026 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Men's Basketball Championship delivered in every way as the Voices of Gwynedd Mercy University began the afternoon with a wonderful rendition of the National Anthem and the student-athletes from #4 Neumann University (19-9) and #2 Gwynedd Mercy University (19-8) fiercely competed from tip-off til final buzzer. In the end, the Knights benefited from some late calls and converted on their following chances at the free throw line to edge the Griffins in a 66-65 conclusion. The Red and Gold trailed 37-31 (0:34) at intermission, but returned to the court determined. The later period was scoreless for the first couple minutes, but big buckets from sophomore guard Bruce Smith (Philadelphia, Pa.) (48-47, 12:25) and senior guard D.J. Johnson (Norristown, Pa.) (11:39, 10:44) gave the Griffins a five-point lead; 52-47 (10:44), midway through. Gwynedd Mercy University held their last lead, 65-63, with 2:03 remaining on the clock. In those final two minutes, two reviewed plays went Neumann University's way, leading to a game-winning and-one for the Knights. Off the bench, junior guard Mazen Sayed (Chichester, Pa.) led four Griffins in double figures with 20 points; he also recorded a team-high seven rebounds, an assist, and a steal.

Griffin Highlights

• Gwynedd Mercy University outscored Neumann University 34-29 in the second half. The Griffins used eight Knight turnovers to their advantage and Smith led the effort with a dozen (12) points. 
• The backcourt duo of Johnson and fellow senior captain Jalen Snead (Philadelphia, Pa.) had nearly identical performances; both recorded 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, and a steal. The latter also provided a block.
• Smith was the last Griffin to contribute double-digits as he complemented his 12 points with five rebounds, three blocks, and a steal.
• Gwynedd Mercy University generated 30 points in the paint and received 22 points from its bench while also capitalizing at the free-throw line with a 77.8% (14-of-18) shooting performance from the charity stripe.
• During the postgame awards presentation, Gwynedd Mercy University sophomore guard Pat Bean (North Wildwood, N.J.) was recognized as the 2025-2026 AEC Men's Basketball Elite Scholar Award winner. The honor is presented at every AEC Championship to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average (GPA) competing at the finals site.  

Gwynedd Mercy University concludes the 2025-2026 season with a 19-8 overall record and a 11-3 AEC standing.