GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA - Gwynedd senior Natasha Matthews led the way with a double-double as she scored 26 points and pulled in 10 rebounds as the Griffins handed the Knights of Neumann University a 81-74 loss to kick off Colonial States Athletic Conference play on Monday night.

The Knights saw a 43-31 halftime deficit as two Griffins hit double digits in the first stanza. Matthews lead the way with 16 points and six rebounds along with junior Olivia Bradford who chipped in 10, going 3 for 4 in the half.

A layup by Matthews with 9:23 remaining in the half would push the Griffins to their largest lead of 13 points. However, sharp shooting by the Knights freshmen, Emily Lyons, would keep the game close as she hit two more threes to close the lead. Although Lyons only missed three of her eight shots, the Griffins would never relinquish the lead and had a 12 point cushion over the Knights at the break.

With no signs of slowing down, the Griffins would push the tempo and hold off the Knights who went 28-68 from the floor and 10-27 from behind the arc. Freshmen Dee Terry would make her fourth steal of the game with just over ten minutes remaining to push GM's lead back up to ten and the Griffins never looked back.

Four players went on to finish in double figures for the Griffins to cement the first conference win of the season. Matthews had a game high of 26, along with Bradford adding 12, Terry adding 11 with five steals and sophomore Charlotte Kucowski chipping in 10.

The Knights won the battle on the boards with 41 compared to the Griffins 39.

The Griffins shot 45.7 % (32-70) overall and went 5-19 (26.3%) from behind the arc.

Four players also recorded double digits for the Knights with senior Jessica Schlesman leading the way with a double-double scoring 16 and recording 11 assists , Lyons adding 15, junior Latisha Johnson adding 13 and freshmen Holly McKaig adding 10.

Senior Kelsey Yori added seven points and a career-high nine assists.

The Griffins return to action next Wednesday as they continue conference play against Cabrini College in front of a home crowd. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.