Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (1/4/2023) - Gwynedd Mercy University (6-7) made short work of Penn State Brandywine (6-6) in their final non-conference game of the season as the Griffins grew an early 11-point, 15-4 (13:01), lead into a 42-13 (0:04) halftime advantage and an eventual 86-35 (1:24) victory. The 51-point triumph was forged by the hot hand of junior guard Aziz Parker (Westhampton, N.J.) and a suffocating team defense that held the Nittany Lions to a 25.5% (14-of-55) field goal percentage and a 17.6% (3-of-17) three-point percentage.

Griffin Highlights

• In addition to holding Penn State Brandywine to their dismal shooting numbers, Gwynedd Mercy University out-rebounded the Nittany Lions 45-26 and forced the visitors into 20 turnovers.
• Penn State Brandywine scored the first basket, 2-0 (19:30), and led the Griffins through the first four minutes of the contest (3-2, 16:11) before being outscored 40-10 to halftime.
• Gwynedd Mercy University's lead maxed out at 54 points, 86-32, with 1:38 remaining in the contest.
• Parker scored his game-high 23 points in just 17 minutes of work; he played 14 of those 17 minutes in the first half, which he finished with 15 points on a 5-of-8 (.625) shooting effort that included three (3-of-6, .500) three-point baskets and was accompanied by a perfect trip to the free throw line (2-of-2, 1.000). He added five rebounds and a steal to his scoring efficiency.
• Freshman guard Thomas Brown (Philadelphia, Pa.) was the only other Griffin in double figures with 10 points. 
• Sophomore forward  Christian Isopi (Philadelphia, Pa.) and junior forward JoHann Vinson (Philadelphia, Pa.) were effective in their roles; the former totaled eight points, three rebounds, and two assists, while the latter finished with nine points, six rebounds, four assists, and a steal.
• Gwynedd Mercy University totaled 46 points off the bench and 23 points off turnovers.

Gwynedd Mercy University opens their Atlantic East Conference (AEC) schedule on Saturday, January 7, when they visit Marymount University for a 3:00 p.m. tipoff.