GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA. -- Gwynedd Mercy fell to the Cavaliers of Cabrini, 57-54, in front of a home crowd Tuesday evening at the Griffin Complex.
 
Unable to gain a lead of more than four points majority of the first half, both teams were matched evenly at the start.  Senior Natasha Matthews was on fire for the Griffins, scoring the first three baskets for GM, finishing the half with 11 points and six rebounds.  Sophomore Nicole Dombrowski was not far behind going 3-3, chipping in seven points and two rebounds.
 
In the first, the Cavaliers would eventually jump to a seven point lead as the Griffins would give up a number of turnovers that translated into easy baskets for Cabrini.  However, the Griffins would not relent and pulled within two as Matthews hit a huge three pointer to beat out the shot clock with just over three minutes remaining.
 
The Griffins would shoot 45.8% in the half compared to 32.4% by the Cavaliers.  But 13 turnovers would hurt the Griffins going into the break, leaving them down by 4 (29-25).
 
A fast paced second half would have both teams fighting to pull away as Cabrini kept a small edge over the Griffins in the first five minutes.  Two three-pointers by senior Kelsey Yori would put the Griffins within one on two separate occasions. Following Yori's sharp shooting (2-3), freshman Dee Terry would give the Griffins their first lead of the half with a contested layup.
 
Tied 45-45 with just under eight minutes to go, the Griffins would hold off the Cavs a little longer as would sink a huge three-pointer at the top of the key.  But the Cavs were quick to answer back with a layup by Tayler Holmes and two threes by Dana Peterson to go up 53-48.  The Griffins were unable to battle back as they played catchup for the remainder of the half.
 
Matthews would lead the way for the Griffins pulling in 18 points and eight rebounds.  Yori and junior Olivia Bradford would both chip in eight.

Overall the Griffins shot 39.3% (22-56) going 6-20 (30%) from behind the arc.  Cabrini had a clear advantage on the boards with 42 compared to GM's 35.

Amber Keys led the way for the Cavs with 21 points and nine rebounds along with Dana Peterson and Megan Decker, who chipped in ten each.
 
The Griffins return to action on Saturday as they travel to Cairn University to continue conference play.  Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.