Griffins Spin Cyclones, Punch Ticket to Atlantic East Conference Championship
Originally posted on gwyneddathletics.com
Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (2/26/26) - #2 Gwynedd Mercy University (19-7) earned their spot in the 2025-2026 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Men’s Basketball Championship with a commanding 96-77 semifinal victory over #3 Centenary University (11-15).
While the Red and Gold held the lead for most of the game, a dominate second half performance pushed them past the Cyclones with ease. Senior guard Jalen Snead (Philadelphia, Pa.) led all scorers with 28 points, including the first-half layup that put the Griffins in the lead (16-18, 10:36) and provided them with a momentum they never lost. Graduate guard Dylan Harris (Bloomsburg, Pa.) followed with 24 points thanks six three-pointers (6-of-10, .600), while senior guard D.J. Johnson (Norristown, Pa.) added a dozen (12) second-half points, six assists, seven rebounds, and a steal.
Griffin Highlights
- Gwynedd Mercy University established control early and brought a 37-31 (0:20) halftime advantage into the locker room with a few more shots (14-of-35; .400) a defensive performance that held Centenary University to 11-of-33 (.333) shooting and forced 10 Cyclone turnovers.
- Snead and Harris kept the Griffins afloat in the opening frame; the former was aggressive to the rim (5-of-9, .556 FG%| 2-of-3, .667 FT%), while the latter was clutch from long range (2-of-3, .667 3PT%).
- The Red and Gold shifted to offense in the second half, extending their lead to as many as 21 points, 94-73 (1:28) late in the contest.
- Junior guard Mazen Sayed (Chichester, Pa.) was a spark off the bench with 12 points, five assists, two blocks, and a steal. The Griffin bench outscored the Cyclones’ 21-9.
- Johnson scored all 12 of his points in the second half, while grabbing four rebounds and dropping five dimes.
- Gwynedd Mercy University finished the contest shooting 35-of-71 (.493) from the field and 17-of-22 (.773) from the free-throw line.
- The Griffins collected 40 rebounds, distributed 20 assists, got 48 points in the paint, 14 on the fastbreak, and 13 off turnovers.