Huntingdon, Pa. - (12/6/2023) - Gwynedd Mercy University (3-4) saw six score in double figures, but Juniata College (5-2) was able to fend off a late Griffin rally in an 85-80 final. The Red and Gold grabbed a 44-41 halftime advantage thanks to a pair of baskets (0:49, 0:38) from junior guard Mike Marable (Philadelphia, Pa.) and the second half remained close until the six-minute mark. From there, a four-point (65-61, 6:04) Eagle edge quickly grew to a 14-point (81-67, 2:54) deficit that could withstand Gwynedd Mercy University's 13-4 closing run. Senior guard JoHaan Vinson (Philadelphia, Pa.) was the Griffins' top scorer with 14 points.

Giffin Highlights

• Gwynedd Mercy University out-rebounded Juniata College 41-33 with 16 offensive rebounds generating 13 second-chance points.
• The Griffins shot 41.9% (26-of-62) from the field, 39.1% (9-of-23) from three-point range, and 76.0% (19-of-25) from the free throw line.
• Vinson paired his points with three rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
• Sophomore guard Aquil Stewart (Philadelphia, Pa.) recorded 12 points, a rebound, a steal, and a team-high six assists.
• Sophomore guard D.J. Johnson (Norristown, Pa.), junior forward Dom Thomas (Mullica Hill, N.J.), and freshman guard Devin Benson (Williamstown, N.J.) all finished with 11 points. The first also grabbed six rebounds, the second additionally provided a team-high seven rebounds, a block, and two steals, and the last made a pair of threes (2-of-3, .667) while hitting 5-of-6 (.833) from the free throw line and hustling to three rebounds.
• Graduate guard Manny Clark (Pottsgrove, Pa.) finished with 10 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Gwynedd Mercy University returns to the Griffin Complex on Saturday, December 9, to host Alvernia University for a 2:00 p.m. contest.