News Release

ST. DAVIDS,Pa. — In a game with different playoff implications for two PAC teams, the team with the greater cause prevailed as a Gwynedd-Mercy team fighting for a spot in the playoffs built an early lead an withstood a furious Eastern challenge to win on the road and tighten up the field. The defending PAC champions entered tonight’s game in the precarious sixth spot in the league standings, and the Griffins came out firing in the early moments as they responded from an early trio of Bobby Black three pointers to take a lead they would never relinquish seven minutes into the opening frame.

Gwynedd forged a 48-38 halftime advantage behind the hot shooting of Chris DelBrocco. The junior guard hit all four of his three point attempts en route to 18 first half points. Kevin Lauer contributed to the Griffin effort in the opening frame with seven points, six boards and five assists. Bobby Black led the Eagles with 12 at the break, and Matt Flanagan came off the bench to hit for eight points on a pair of three pointers.

The Griffins opened the second frame with an 18-7 run led by six points and a pair of assists from former Eagle Francis Bowe. Down 66-45 with thirteen and a half minutes to go, the Eagles started to shoot over top of the Gwynedd zone and force the tiring visitors into turnovers. Black and Flanagan each hit a pair of threes in a quick 12-2 run, but the Griffins countered with an 8-1 run to bounce their lead back up to 76-58 with eight minutes to go.

Eastern was able to force turnovers and kept the Griffins from scoring from the field, but were unable to take care of the ball and committed costly turnovers in the comeback effort. Even so, the Eagles were able to trim Gwynedd’s lead to 88-83 with a three point play from Ben Easley, and had the Griffins taking a desperation shot as the clock expired, but Bowe grabbed a critical offensive rebound and allowed the visitors to reset and burn another twenty five seconds. DelBrocco then split a pair of free throws and Flanagan hit two foul shots at the other end to bring the Eagles to within four before a Bowe lay up iced the game at 91-85.

DelBrocco led all scorers with 28. He also picked up four steals and a pair of assists on the night. Bowe put together a solid night with 16 points, six boards, and five assists, and Lauer picked up a game high 15 rebounds to go with his 16 points. Black led the Eagles with 25 points on 14 shots. Flanagan and Easley both came off the bench to hit double figures with 18 and 17 respectively.

The Eagles, who lost their third Monday night game of the year, are off until Saturday when they host Alvernia in the second game of a home double-header with the women. Proceeds from Saturday’s gate will go to Coaches versus Cancer.