Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (1/31/2022) - For the second game in a row, Gwynedd Mercy University (10-7, 2-3) battled for an Atlantic East Conference (AEC) victory in overtime as a last-second basket from Centenary University (8-7, 2-3) forced tonight's league contest to the extra frame. There, the Cyclones proved to be the superior side, pulling away mid-period with a 6-0 run that sunk the Griffins in an eventual 92-85 (0:24) final. Graduate guard Matt O'Connor (Philadelphia, Pa.) led four Griffins in double figures with a season-high 25 points. He also recorded a rebound and three assists. Senior guard Ty Jones (Harlem, N.Y.) offered 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Graduate forward Donaven Spencer (Sicklerville, N.J.) contributed 10 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. And sophomore guard Manny Clark (Pottsgrove, Pa.) scored all 15 of his points in the second half; he added five rebounds and two assists to a 6-of-8 (.750) shooting performance that included a pair of three pointers (2-of-3, .667) and an additional free throw (1-of-1, 1.000).

Gwynedd Mercy University paced Centenary University off the opening tip, leading the visitors until a Cyclone three-point basket knotted the affair at 15-15 (10:45). The Griffins reclaimed the lead afterwards, sprinting back to a five-point lead, 20-15 (8:38), with a Jones layup (17-15, 8:58) and an O'Connor three (20-15, 8:38). Unfortunately, Centenary University tied the score again at 23-23 (4:15) before leading Gwynedd Mercy University to a 35-33 (0:00) halftime spread. In the second half, the Cyclones retained the lead until Clark nailed a three pointer from the corner with just 45 seconds remaining; 76-76 (0:45). In the time remaining, a pair of Jones free throws was matched by a last-second Cyclone jumper that forced the extra frame (78-78 (0:07). There, Centenary University assumed the lead with the first basket, 81-78 (4:40) and Gwynedd Mercy University battled back for a brief 85-84 (2:07) lead, before a pair Griffin misses allowed the Cyclones to escape for the seven-point win.

Gwynedd Mercy University continues their AEC schedule on Wednesday, February 2, when the Griffins visit Neumann University for an 8:00 p.m. tip-off.