GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA. -- Gwynedd Mercy had three players with 20-plus points while hitting 14 three-pointers offensively and added 10 blocks defensively as a team in a 94-78 Colonial States Athletic Conference win over Marywood at the Griffin Complex Monday night.
Senior Seth Heinicke and junior Julian Hyden each netted 22 points, while Darnell Artis added 21 as the Griffins recorded 11 of their 14 trifectas in the first half to help build a 53-35 lead at the break.
Hyden and Artis nearly recorded double-doubles as Hyden grabbed nine boards and Artis dished out eight assists. Hyden and Heinicke got in on the block party, each tallying two apiece. Sophomore Cedric Elleby led the defensive swarm with four.
A wild first half, saw the Pacers take an early six-point lead (13-7), only to see Heinicke come off the bench and score the next seven points, two via inside and one from behind the arc to restore a Griffin lead.
Leading by three (25-22) with six minutes in the first, Gwynedd (9-4, 4-2 CSAC) would take control of the game. Hyden would kickstart the run with a bucket followed by a rare four-point play, where he drained a trey from the right wing and get fouled. On the next Griffin possession off a Pacer miss, senior Justin Knight would connect from downtown, and suddenly, Gwynedd Mercy had a 12-point lead. Heinicke would hit his fourth three-pointer of the half with 39 ticks to help give GM an 18-point lead at the break.
The second half saw Gwynedd continue their torrid shooting, going over 57% to keep the double-digit lead throughout and help seal the win. Hyden would highlight the stanza with a big one-handed jam down the middle of the paint to help get the crowd to their feet.
Knight would finish with 14 points, seven boards, three assists, and two steals. As a team, the Griffins were 29-of 54 (53.7%) from the floor, while holding a 37-29 rebound edge.
Shane Kellaher led the Pacers (8-5, 3-3 CSAC) with 16 points while Michael Rotell added 14. Alex Barr and Connor Calejas chipped in 13 and 12 respectively.
Gwynedd Mercy returns to action on Wednesday when they travel to Centenary for a CSAC tilt starting at 7 p.m.