Glenside, Pa. - (11/16/2021) - A 25-4 fourth-quarter spread was the determining factor in tonight's Battle of 309 as Gwynedd Mercy University (2-2) beared down and reversed their fortunes in an eventual 79-64 victory over Arcadia University (0-3). The Griffins' frontcourt combination juniors, Haley Crossley (Warminster, Pa.) and Cayla Sharkey (Lansdale, Pa.) headlined the reprisal; the former offered 21 points, seven rebounds, three assists, a block, and two steals, while the latter provided an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double on top of an assist, two blocks, and three steals. Senior guard Elise Sylvester (Pottstown, Pa.) chipped in with a dozen (12) points, two rebounds, two assists, and four steals. Sophomore guard Lynzie Eggers (Turnersville, N.J.) matched her scoring (12 points) and partnered the production with two rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
Arcadia University slowly built an opening 16-8 (4:00) lead, but Gwynedd Mercy University cut the deficit to five points, 201-15, by the end of the first quarter. The Griffins took a brief 23-22 lead on an Eggers' layup with 7:29 remaining in the second quarter and the contest was tied, 33-33, with 2:39 remaining in the first half. Unfortunately, the Knights separated for a 42-36 halftime advantage and eventually a 52-41 (6:55) edge in the third quarter before the Gwynedd Mercy University turned the tide. The change came in the paint with Crossley, Sharkey, and Eggers frustrating Arcadia University offense in a 38-12 swing that escalated the Knights final turnover number to 34.
Gwynedd Mercy University travels to Messiah University on Friday, November 19, to take on DeSales University in their first game of the Messiah University Tip-Off Tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.