Huntingdon, Pa. - (11/20/2021) - Sophomore guard Aziz Parker (Westhampton, N.J.) kept Gwynedd Mercy University (4-2) on the Eagles' heals through the first half, as his 10 points and four rebounds led the Griffins to a 30-25 recess. After intermission, a jumper from senior guard Ty Jones (Harlem, N.Y.) narrowed the deficit to just a one-point difference, 43-42 (13:45), but Juniata University (3-1) stayed hot enough to recover for a nine-point lead, 53-44 (7:40) and an eventual 66-62 win in the championship game. Parker led three Griffins in double figures with 20 points as fellow sophomore guard Manny Clark (Pottsgrove, Pa.) offered 14 points and graduate forward Donaven Spencer (Sicklerville, N.J.) contributed 10 points. Parker also recorded four rebounds and two assists. Clark additionally collected two rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Spencer also recorded a team-high nine rebounds and an assist.

Parker got the Griffins out to a strong start, but a pair of Juniata University three-pointers (9:55, 9:25) got the Eagles going midway through the first half, 13-11. Gwynedd Mercy University recovered with perimeter success, using a 6-of-13 (.462) long range rate to stay ahead of the Eagles until the closing minutes of the opening period. Juniata University stole the lead in the closing 1:33, posting a 30-25 (0:00) halftime lead before narrowly escaping the Griffins second-half push. Clark - who joined Parker on the all-tournament team - was at the forefront of the rally with 11 of his 14 points, a rebound, two assists, and three steals in the latter period.

Gwynedd Mercy University returns to the Griffin Complex on Wednesday, December 1, when they host Goucher College in a 7:00 p.m. contest.