GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA. -- Gwynedd Mercy lost its first game of the season, falling in a tough 90-78 CSAC contest to Neumann Saturday afternoon.
Arron Goodman would become the second Griffin this week to eclipse the career 1,000-point mark as the senior scored 16 points, getting the elusive milestone on a three-point play late in the contest. Goodman was one of four Griffins in double figures, finishing with 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds along with three blocks. As a team, the Griffins totaled nine blocked shots.
Cedric Elleby led the squad with 24 points and added four blocks. Rip Engel kicked 12 and Courtney Cubbage added 11 but it was the Knights walking out of The Griffin Complex with the victory.
The Griffins and Knights held each other in check in the first 20 minutes as each team shot under 37% and each team making just one three-pointer each. Gwynedd would go 11-for-13 at the free throw line stay within arm's reach, as Neumann held a 34-30 lead at the break.
The second half started off on the right foot which helped give GMercyU its first lead since early in the contest. Trailing, 37-34, a steal at midcourt from Courtney Cubbage turned into a fastbreak bucket from Matt Sommers and after a Neumann turnover, Engel would feed a driving Elleby for a tough finish and a loud rise from the crowd. However on the next Neumann possession, Darian Barnes hit a triple at the top of the key to reclaim the lead. His second three-pointer came just under three minutes later which would put the Griffins in a 10-point deficit (54-44) with 14:18 remaining.
Engel's three-ball would pull Gwynedd within four (64-60) with 8:21 to play, but it would be the closest the Griffins would get the rest of the way.
James Butler was the top scorer for Neumann with 26 points. Kenny Wilson scored 13 of his 19 points in the second half. Barnes would finish with 15 points and grab a team-high nine rebounds.
Gwynedd Mercy takes on King's this Friday in the First National Community Bank/Monarch Classic at 8 p.m. GM will face either Susquehanna or Trinity (Ct.) on Saturday.