Griffins Lose AEC Season Opener on Knight Buzzer Beater

Game Leaders

Neumann
Pts: Tj Lewis - 27
Reb: Jalen Vaughns - 9
Ast: Jarell Keel - 4
Gwynedd Mercy
Pts: Manny Clark - 19
Reb: D.J. Johnson - 7
Ast: Jalen Snead - 3

Team Stats

Neumann
Gwynedd Mercy

Field Goals

(28-56)
(31-56)

Field Goal %

50.0%
55.4%

Rebounds

27
32

Assists

17
13

Turnovers

13
14

Pts off Turnovers

21
17

2nd Chance Pts

10
12

Pts in the Paint

31
36

Fastbreak Pts

7
4

Bench Pts

33
32
full stats
Jan 03, 2024

Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (1/3/2024) - Gwynedd Mercy University (7-7, 0-1) and Neumann University (3-11, 1-0) opened their Atlantic East Conference (AEC) season with exclamation as the long-time rivals went wire-to-wire in a thrilling 80-78 final. Unfortunately, it was the Knights who claimed the league prize with a three-point buzzer beater that sent the Griffin Complex into pandemonium. Graduate guard Manny Clark (Pottsgrove, Pa.) and senior guard JoHaan Vinson (Philadelphia, Pa.) led four Griffins in double figures with 19 and 18 points, respectively; junior guard Aquil Stewart (Philadelphia, Pa.) and senior guard Aziz Parker (Westampton, N.J.) recorded 10 points apiece.

Griffin Highlights

  • Clark came off the Gwynedd Mercy University bench to help the Griffins to an early 21-18 (11:51) advantage. Unfortunately, Neumann University stole the lead soon after, 24-22 (10:16), and separated for double-digit lead, 47-37 (1:51), in the final two minutes of a 50-40 (0:04) halftime spread.
  • In the second half, the Red and Gold quickly tore down the Knights' advantage with a Parker three (52-47, 18:33) and a three-point play from sophomore guard D.J. Johnson (Norristown, Pa.) reducing the difference to two points, 52-50, with 17:46 still to play.
  • The Griffins took the lead a little more than a minute later on a bucket from junior guard Mike Marable (Philadelphia, Pa.), 54-53 (16:13), and controlled play down the stretch as Clark gave Gwynedd Mercy University a four-point perch, 65-61 (11:53), just after the 12-minute mark and a one-point lead, 73-72, with a three-point basket at 7:34.
  • A Vinson three pointer made it a five-point difference, 78-73, with 4:20 left to go, but a late Knight rally had the final say in a dramatic conclusion.
  • Clark added three rebounds, an assist, and a block to his season-high in points, while Vinson recorded five rebounds and a block in addition to his scoring.
  • Johnson grabbed a team-high seven rebounds, while recording five points, two assists, and three steals.

Gwynedd Mercy University continues their AEC schedule on Saturday, January 4, with a 1:00 p.m. tip-off at Cabrini University.