Arlington, Va. - (1/7/2023) - Continuing an impressive run, Gwynedd Mercy University (7-7, 1-0) evened their record at 7-7 and earned their first Atlantic East Conference (AEC) win with a 76-72 victory in today's league opener at Marymount University (5-9, 1-1). The one-two combo of junior guard Aziz Parker (Westhampton, N.J.) and junior forward JoHann Vinson (Philadelphia, Pa.) helped the Griffins keep close in a 41-37 Saint first half. The latter captained a late second-half rally that brought the Griffins from nine-point deficit, 64-55 (10:52), to their final four-point perch.

Griffin Highlights

• The contest was tied eight times and the lead changed hands nine times in the highly-competitive AEC contest.
• Gwynedd Mercy University held a slight edge in rebounds (31-28), assists (13-10), turnovers (19-21), and steals (8-6).
• Vinson backed 11-point first half with 13 points, five rebounds, and two assists in the second half. The 24 points was a season-high for Vinson, who was 9-of-14 (.643) from the floor and 5-of-6 (.833) from the free throw line. He finished the affair with six rebounds and two assists.
• Parker was elusive on offense and a terror on defense with 19 points, a rebound, an assist, and five steals. It was his 10th double-digit performance of the season. He scored four (4-of-8, .500) of his six (6-of-13, .462) baskets from long range and hit 3-of-4 (.750) from the charity stripe.
• Junior guard Manny Clark (Pottsgrove, Pa.) was the third Griffin in double figures with 16 points in excess of his two rebounds, team-high five assists, and a block.
• Junior forward Mike McCants Jr. (Newark, Del.) recovered a team-high 10 rebounds in a 31-28 Griffin rebounding edge.

The Griffins continue their conference schedule on Wednesday, January 11, when the Gwynedd Mercy University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosts a White Out for an 8:00 p.m. AEC "Play for Joey" Game.