Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (3/19/2026) – In their first season under Head Coach Darnell "Speedy" Artis '16, the second-seeded Gwynedd Mercy University (19-8, 11-3 AEC) earned their spot in the 2025-2026 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Men's Basketball Championship with a commanding 96-77 semifinal victory over #3 Centenary University (11-15) (Feb. 26). As a result, the Red and Gold hosted #4 Neumann University for the 2025-2026 AEC Men's Basketball Championship; from beginning to end the AEC title bout delivered in every way as the Voices of Gwynedd Mercy University provided a wonderful rendition of the National Anthem before the Griffins and Knights fiercely competed from tip-off until final buzzer. In the end, Neumann University benefited from some late calls and converted on their following chances at the free throw line to edge Gwynedd Mercy University in a 66-65 conclusion. 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.
 
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. Bean carries a 3.67 GPA as a criminal justice major.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University senior guard D.J. Johnson (Norristown, Pa.) garnered All-AEC First Team honors and was recognized by the league's head coaches as the 2025-2026 AEC Defensive Player of the Year. Meanwhile, graduate guard Dylan Harris (Bloomsburg, Pa.) was recognized on the All-AEC Second Team.
 
Johnson led Gwynedd Mercy University with 13.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while totaling 86 assist (3.3/game), 67 steals (2.6/game), and nine blocks (0.3/game). He was the AEC league leader in steals (1^st, 67) and steals per game (1^st, 2.6 SPG), while also ranking among the AEC Top-10 in FT% (2^nd, .780; 85-of-109), assist to turnover ratio (2^nd, 2.2), assists (3^rd, 86), assists per game (3^rd, 3.3 APG), rebounds (5^th, 152), defensive rebounds (6^th, 115), free throws made (7^th, 84), points (8^th, 342), points per game (8th, 13.7 PPG), and rebounds per game (T10^th, 5.8 RPG).

Harris pieced together one of the greatest shooting seasons in program history with a program-record 82 made three pointers (82-of-186, .441) and program-record 97.6 FT% (.976; 40-of-41). He led the AEC in three pointers made (1^st, 82), three-point percentage (1^st, .435 3PT%; 77-of-177), while also ranking among the Top-10 in steals (T8^th, 39) and SPG (10^th, 1.5).
 
The 2025-2026 season – the first in the collegiate coaching career of Darnell "Speedy" Artis '16 – the began on November 8 with a contest at Rosemont College. Gwynedd Mercy University carried a double-digit lead for a majority of 70-46 final. The Red and Gold bullied their way to the basket as Johnson went 10-of-11 (.909) at the free throw line in an 18-point performance that came with seven rebounds and six steals. Sophomore guard Bruce Smith (Philadelphia, Pa.) (5 rebounds, 3 assists) and Sayed (4, 5) took turns running the floor as the duo combined for nine rebounds and eight assists.
 
The Red and Gold had little trouble finding their second win of the season as a 22-4 opening run gave the Griffins an easy path to an 81-61 victory over St. Joseph's University Brooklyn (Nov. 10). Johnson scored the Red and Gold's first nine points, bringing the crowd to their feet and inspiring his teammates to get involved to the tune of a 42-18 first-half spread. In the end, Smith led four Griffins in double figures with 18 points; Johnson (11 points), Harris (12), and junior guard Zaiyin Keys (Chichester, Pa.) (13) were the others.
 
Unfortunately, the season's first loss was just around the corner as Gwynedd Mercy University got lost behind a powerful second-half surge in a 77-55, Battle of 309 loss at Arcadia University (Nov. 12). Smith scored a game and career-high 23 points while collecting a couple rebounds. Sayed helped with 10 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals off the bench.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University recuperated from the Battle of 309 loss with consecutive victories over Penn State Mont Alto (W, 81-63 on Nov. 15), Eastern University (W, 94-80 on Nov. 19), and the University of Valley Forge (UVF) (W, 93-85 on Nov. 22).
 
Harris hit 5-of-9 (.556) from long range and the Griffins caused 26 Nittany Lion turnovers in an 81-63 win. Harris finished with 17 points, four rebounds, and an assist; he was joined in double figures by Johnson (11 points) and Smith (10). The following Wednesday, Snead stole the show in a 94-80 win over Eastern University; he was there at every turn with a career-high 24 points, seven rebounds, five assists, a block, and three steals. The Red and Gold overcame an early 9-2 (16:44) deficit, taking the lead on a Snead fastbreak, 16-15 (10:22), and riding the highs to a 43-29 halftime advantage. In the second half, the Griffin protected their perch with consistent defensive pressure and accuracy at the free throw line (16-for-20, .800). The third win of the stretch was a 93-85 final at UVF; the Griffins hit 6-of-11 (.545) from three-point range and found their way to the free throw line regularly - 10-of-15 (.667) - en route to a 44-36 halftime lead.
 
After intermission, the Red and Gold continued to hit the three-point basket - 6-of-13 (.462) - using perimeter success to grow their lead to as many as 20 points (64-44, 13:46) before holding off several Patriot rallies in the eight-point conclusion. Snead stayed hot and led four Griffins in double figures with a career-high 34 points, four rebounds, four assists, and five steals. The final two performances of the stretch propelled him to the AEC Men's Basketball Player of the Week (Nov. 24) title.

The Red and Gold stayed warm over the Thanksgiving break with an exhibition game versus National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I member University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). The Griffins looked to senior forward Dashon Lewis (Philadelphia, Pa.) off the bench for some offense as the experienced post scored a dozen points (12 points) to complement more balanced efforts from Harris (9 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal) and Johnson (6 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, and 3 steals). The Red and Gold gave the Hawks some early competition, but were eventually left behind in a 42-28 halftime deficit and an 84-60 final.
 
Unfortunately, the exhibition loss carried into the following contest as Gwynedd Mercy University could not find a basket off the opening tip of an 88-84, overtime loss to Alvernia University (Dec. 3). Sayed sparked the Red and Gold and he continued to lead them through a second half that saw the Griffins tie the game on a Smith jumper, 57-57 (6:50), and grab a three-point lead on a much-needed Harris long-range basket; 69-66 (3:33). In the extra frame, the Golden Wolves used a couple clutch three-point baskets (1:54, 0:38) to slingshot for the eventual four-point win. Sayed finished the contest with career-high 27 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. He was efficient too; hitting 9-of-10 (.900) from the floor and 7-of-8 (.875) from the free throw line.
 
The Griffin split their remaining four games of 2025 with back-to-back wins over Penn State Abington (W, 86-70 on Dec. 8) and Brooklyn College (W, 82-69 on Dec. 13), and back-to-back losses to McDaniel College (L, 60-61 on Dec. 28) and DeSales University (L, 79-92 on Dec. 29); the final two contests were part of the Bulldogs' Al Senavitis Memorial Tournament. Johnson was recognized on the AEC Baseball Weekly Honor Roll (Dec. 15) for his play in the first two games; 10.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 4.5 steals per game, while Smith headlined the Red and Gold's efforts at the Al Senavitis Memorial Tournament with 15.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game.
 
The New Year – and the AEC season – began with a January-7 tip-off at Pratt Institute. Johnson found himself at the center of the Red and Gold game plan as he finished the 72-63 victory over the Cannoneers with a game-high 20 points on 6-of-11 (.545) shooting effort that included four threes (4-of-6, .667) and came with six rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Snead helped with 12 points, a rebound, six assists, and a steal, while Keys was a nice running mate off the bench with 13 points and three rebounds.
 
Owners of a 48-33 (0:08) halftime lead and a 65-47 (9:03) mid-second half edge, Gwynedd Mercy University escaped Immaculata University (Jan. 10) by a narrow 88-86 (0:01) margin. Five Griffins finished in double figures, including Harris who shot his way to 21 points on 6-of-10 (.600) shooting performance - 4-of-8 (.500) from three - and a perfect 5-of-5 (1.000) clip at the free throw line. Harris was joined in double-digits by Johnson (15 points), Smith (14), Snead (13), and senior guard Devin Benson (Williamstown, N.J.) (14).
 
Gwynedd Mercy University secured their third AEC win of the season with an 81-76, January-14 victory at Marywood University. The Griffins led for a majority of the contest and recovered from the Pacers' brief second-half advantage behind Sayed's aggressive play as the Red and Gold's spark plug 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. Johnson led four Griffins in double figures with 21 points; he also recorded seven rebounds, eight assists, a block, and three steals. Sayed was another as he finished the affair with 14 points, five rebounds, eight assists, and a steal.
 
In the January-17 preview of the AEC Championship, Harris, 3-2 (19:04), and Johnson, 6-2 (17:48), buried a pair of early threes to get Gwynedd Mercy University off to a good start. Smith was the man late in the first half, scoring 14 of the Griffins' last 22 points in the period. He finished the frame with 14 points, nine rebounds, and an assist. In the second half, Sayed, 50-48 (12:44), and Keys, 58-56 (8:29), gave the Griffins the lead 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 recorded his first double-double in the Red and Gold with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Sayed relieved for 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
 
January closed with league wins at Centenary University (N.J.) (W, 94-83 on Jan. 21) and Saint Elizabeth University (W, 87-67 on Jan. 24), before splitting home game versus Marymount University (L, 59-60 on Jan. 28) and Pratt Institute (W, 84-67 on Jan. 31). Johnson and Snead headlined the stretch with both garnering AEC Men's Basketball Weekly Honor Roll recognition on the January 26 and February 9 reports.
 
Only the Cannoneers got the better of the Griffins in their second run through the AEC gauntlet; after the January-28 loss to the Saints, Gwynedd Mercy University went 6-1 in their final seven regular-season games.
 
The Red and Gold dominated the second half of second meeting with the Pacers (Feb. 8) as they transformed a 44-37 (0:04) halftime spread into a 94-69 (0:02) victory with ease. Johnson scored a career-high 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for his second double-double of his collegiate career. Smith (12 points), Snead (11), and senior guard Jake Okon (Yonkers, N.Y.) (11), joined him in double figures.
 
The next three wins were a bit closer as Gwynedd Mercy University sandwiched a 61-57 at Marymount University (Feb. 11) between overtime victories against Immaculata University (W, 81-72 on Feb. 7) and Neumann University (W, 75-74 on Feb. 14).
 
The Griffins used a late second half rally and dominated overtime to defeat the Mighty Macs on February 7. The Red and Gold trailed 40-36 at the break, but battled back with a 36-point second half that saw Okon deliver the lead with a three pointer at 11:44, 53-52, and Sayed force overtime with another clutch three with just two second remaining; 66-66 (0:02). Gwynedd Mercy University scored the first nine points of the extra period and cruised to a nine-point win; 81-72, behind Johnson and Snead's leadership. Snead led four Griffins in double figures with a game-high 24 points. Johnson (17 points), Harris (15), and Sayed (11) were the other Griffins to score in double digits.

The Griffins handed the Saints their first conference loss of the season on February 22. The affair featured nine lead changes and five ties, but late-game defense and free throws secured the Red and Gold victory. Smith led Gwynedd Mercy University with 14 points, four rebounds, and a block, while Johnson factored in win with 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, a block, and a steal.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University then evened their regular season record versus Neumann University with a 75-74 overtime, Valentine's Day victory. The contest reached halftime with Benson separating the Griffins for a seven-point lead, 33-26 (0:08). Benson kept his hot hand in the second half, where Harris helped him shoot the Red and Gold through a 65-65 (0:08) regulation, and an overtime where Snead and Smith facilitated glory. Benson went for a career - and team - high 20 points; he came off the Gwynedd Mercy University bench ready to do damage as he hit six threes (6-of-10, .600), including four (10:11, 9:48, 8:29, 3:23) in a clutch second half performance. Harris' day ended with 16 points. He also hit four (4-of-12, .333) three before sinking a game-winning jumper in overtime; 75-74 (0:00). Snead helped fill the stat sheet with six points, five steals, and team-highs in rebounds (10) and assists (7). Smith covered every category with 12 points, four rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal. His offensive board and one of his helpers we instrumental in setting up Harris for the game-winner. The Griffins forced 24 turnovers and scored 21 of their points off the Knights miscues, while their bench outscored their Knight counterparts 34-7.
 
On February 18, an embattled Gwynedd Mercy University had trouble with Centenary University (N.J.) all night long. The Cyclones spun a 9-0 (17:30) opening run into a 76-70 victory over the Red and Gold. Snead led the Griffins with 20 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and a steal. Smith joined him in double figures with 16 points; he also recorded six rebounds and a block.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University capped their 2025-2026 regular season by celebrating six seniors with an 84-58 onslaught victory over Saint Elizabeth University (Feb. 21). The senior class contributed across the board with 56 of the Griffins' 84 points, 30 of their 51 rebounds, and 14 of their 16 assists. Harris was 4-of-9 (.444) from three in a 14-point performance; his fourth and final three-pointer of the game at 15:24 placed him as the all-time leader in three-point field goals made in a single season with 75 (25 games). Johnson led all players with 21 points; he was 8-of-15 (.533) from the floor, while recording five assists and four steals. And Snead contributed seven points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.
 
In the February-26, AEC Semifinal versus Centenary University, Snead led all scorers with 28 points. He scored the first-half layup that put the Griffins in the lead (16-18, 10:36) and provided them with a momentum they never lost in a 96-77 conclusion. Harris followed Snead with 24 points thanks to six three-pointers (6-of-10, .600), while Johnson added a dozen (12) second-half points, six assists, seven rebounds, and a steal.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University littered the AEC Men's Basketball Weekly Reports during their 2025-2026 campaign. Johnson earned four Defensive Player of the Week awards (Nov. 10, Jan. 12., Feb. 16) and five Weekly Honor Roll appearances (Dec. 15, Jan. 5, Jan. 26, Feb. 9, Feb. 23). Snead was named the Player of the Week on November 24 and celebrated Weekly Honor Roll mentions on November 24, January 26, and February 23, while Sayed and Smith respectively enjoyed Weekly Honor Roll appearances on December 8 and January 19.

In addition to Johnson and Harris, the Griffin received major contributions from Smith, Snead, and Sayed. Smith (26gp-26gs) averaged 12.1 points per game (PPG, 315 points) while making a team-high 128 field goals (128-of-276; .464). Snead (27gp-27gs) was the Griffins' every-man with 11.1 points (301 points), 4.6 rebounds (125 rebounds), 3.9 assists (105 assists), 2.1 steals (57 steals), and 0.4 blocks (11 blocks) per game. Off the bench, Sayed (27gp-0gs) was a pest to Red and Gold rivals with 9.8 points (265 points), 4.9 rebounds (131 rebounds), 2.6 assists (69 assists), 0.9 steals (25 steals), and 0.1 blocks (3 blocks) per game.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University finished 19-8 overall and 11-3 in the AEC; they were 9-5 at home, 10-2 on the road, and 0-1 in neutral site games. The Griffins shot 44.5% (751-of-1,687) from the floor, 36.5% (244-of-668) from three-point range, and 72.0% (378-of-525) from the free throw line. They average 78.7 points (2,124 total points), 37.6 rebounds (1,015 total rebounds), and 14.9 assists (402 total assists), while totaling 273 steals (10.1/game) and 62 blocks (2.3/game).
 
Defensively, they have held their opponents to a 41.7% (696-of-1,668) shooting percentage, a 30.4% (189-of-622) three-point success rate, and witnessed them hit 65.1% (332-of-510) from the free throw line. The Griffins have allowed their opponents to crash the boards (39.2 rebounds/game) a little better, but the held a 273-221 advantage in steals, forced 476 turnovers to their own 403, but have only totaled 62 blocks compared to their opponents' 96.