GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA. -- Gwynedd Mercy defeated the Highlanders of Cairn University, 80-38, Wednesday evening in Colonial States Athletics Conference play.  The win is the third straight home victory for GM.
 
The Griffins held the Highlanders to just 16 first half points, as a solid 12-2 run got the Griffins off to an early start.  The tip-off run would set the pace for an 18 point lead going into the break (34-16).  Senior Seth Heinicke would come up big in the 12-2 run, draining two of GM's three pointers in the first three minutes of play.  A dunk by sophomore Cedric Elleby with 32 seconds remaining in the half would push GM to their largest lead of 18 points. 
 
The Griffins were able to maintain a double digit lead for majority of the half.  Elleby led the way in the scoring column, with 13, and on the glass, grabbing 7 rebounds.  Heinicke was not far behind with 11 points, going 3-4 from behind the arc.   Junior Julian Hyden also came up big on the boards with six rebounds.
 
The Griffins went 12-of-41 (29.3%) from the floor and 3-12 (25%) from behind the arc in the half.  The Highlanders were just 5-of-27 (18.5%) while giving up 13 turnovers compared to GM's eight.
 
Cairn spent the rest of the night playing catch-up as the Griffins went on to increase their lead as much as 44 points.
 
Overall the Griffins shot 40% (30-74) and went 8-22 (36.4%) from behind the arc.  They also lead the way on the glass pulling in 56 rebounds compared to the Highlanders 29.
 
A solid team effort led to nine players getting on the board to stay undefeated in conference play.  Elleby paced GM with a double-double (17 points, 11 rebounds), while Heinicke added 15 along with senior Justin Knight chipping in 12.  Hyden just missed double digits with nine points.

Knight also added seven rebounds and five assists in the win.
 
Leading the way for the Highlanders was Kyle Bonner and Omar Askia with eight each.  Darnell Clowney also chipped in seven.
 
The Griffins return to action on Saturday as they travel to Rosemont College.  Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.