GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA. -- Gwynedd Mercy picked up their fifth win in a row with a 103-92 overtime win over Cabrini on Saturday here at The Griffin Complex.
The Griffins scored the first 11 points in overtime and did not look back in improving to 6-1 and 3-0 in conference play.
Will Davis led the offense with a career-best 29 points. Courtney Cubbage collected his third double-double of the season (21 points/11 rebounds) while Rich Dunham posted personal bests in scoring (20 points) and assists (8).
Tyheim Monroe had 27 points and 22 rebounds for the Cavaliers (5-2, 2-1 CSAC).
The Griffins came out firing, using a Matt Sommers three-pointer to open up an 11-3 lead. The Cavs used a pair of scoring runs to pull within two points twice, the last coming 10:58 in the half on two Ivan Robinson free throws. Sommers connected again from downtown to ignite an 18-5 run which turned into a 52-38 halftime lead. Gwynedd shot 19-of-33 (57%) including eight first-half three pointers.
Davis started the second half the way he ended the first, with a tough bucket inside. After each team traded three's, the Griffins were held scoreless for a five-minute span as Cabrini used a 15-0 spurt to get within one. Minutes later, Robinson's layup gave the Cavaliers its first lead since early in the first (61-60) at the 11:43 mark. Dunham's three-point play got the crowd abuzz and more importantly a 67-61 edge.
Two free throws from Cubbage gave the Griffins an eight-point edge (80-72) with 4:15 to go. Mike Doyle's three-pointer rallied Cabrini to within one, but a big hoop and harm from Davis added to the lead with the clock showing 2:07. Later, a jump ball in the Cavaliers' favor on a Gwynedd possession allowed Monroe to tie up the game 85-85 with a minute to go in the contest. After a defensive stop, the Griffins had the ball with under 30 seconds and a last look, but Engel's attempt didn't fall. Monroe grabbed the rebound with two seconds left. After a Cabrini timeout to set up one last play, Dunham stole the inbound in the backcourt and was able to get off a shot at the buzzer.
Davis won the jump ball to start the overtime and connected in the low post to begin the first of 11-straight points for the Griffins. Engel's triple followed by a fast-break bucket from Dunham put GMercyU up, 96-85 with 2:36 left in the extra session. The team was able to go 7-for-8 at the line in the overtime to stay ahead for good.
Engel finished the day with 16 points and tied a career-high with nine assists, hitting four of the team's 12 three-pointers on the day. Sommers kicked in six points and six dimes.
The Griffins return to action on December 18th as they take on Rosemont in the final home game before the holiday break.