Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (12/9/2024) - Gwynedd Mercy University (8-0) scored the first nine points of the contest, 9-0 (16:52), and led Cairn University (6-3) by as many as 16 points, 32-16 (4:05), before taking a 36-24 lead into intermission. In the second half, early turnovers allowed the Highlanders to take a brief lead, 50-49 (9:50), before a three-point play from senior forward Dom Thomas (Mullica Hill, N.J.) (52-50, 9:05) and a three pointer from sophomore guard Justin Savage (Philadelphia, Pa.) (55-50, 8:03) gave the Griffins just enough cushion to withstand in a 73-70 final. Graduate guard Shawn Summers Jr. (Montclair, N.J.) led Gwynedd Mercy University with a season-high 22 points; he was 9-of-12 (.750) from the field, including a perfect 3-of-3 (1.000) from long range, and he hit his only free throw attempt (1-of-1, 1.000), while grabbing three rebounds, making three assists, and recording two steals.

Griffin Highlights

• Gwynedd Mercy University frustrated Cairn University in the first half, holding them to 25.8% (8-of-31) shooting effort and forcing them into eight turnovers.
• Summers scored 12 of his 22 points in the first half. He and many other Griffins got great looks thanks to the play of junior guard Jalen Snead (Philadelphia, Pa.) who recorded five assists and two steals in the period.
• In the second half, timely shots from junior guard D.J. Johnson (Norristown, Pa.) put the Red and Gold ahead by 18 points at the 17-minute (43-25, 17:09) and 16-minute marks (45-27, 16:00) only for Thomas and Savage to spur the Griffins to victory.
• After Summers, Johnson was the only other Griffin to score in double figures. He finished with 13 points and grabbed three rebounds.
• Savage and Snead were not the only significant contributors off the Gwynedd Mercy University bench as sophomore guard Mazen Sayed (Chichester, Pa.) grabbed a team-high six rebounds.
• Savage finished with six points, a rebound, and two steals. Snead offered four points, a rebound, six assists, and two steals. And Sayed totaled five points and an assist in excess of his work on the glass.

Gwynedd Mercy University returns to the Griffin Complex on Saturday, December 14, when they host Lebanon Valley College for a 1:00 p.m. tip-off.