Gwynedd-Mercy Women Clinch Top Playoff Seed With Win Over Neumann

GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA. -- Gwynedd-Mercy clinched the top playoff seed and home-court advantage in convincing fashion, defeating Neumann, 90-57, on Saturday.

The Griffins (18-6, 14-1 CSAC), winners of 13 in a row, will receive a first-round bye in the CSAC Tournament which begins on Monday, February 20th. GM will host a semifinal game on Wednesday, February 22nd.

Freshman Shea Wassel led five Griffins in double figures with a game-high 17 points as Gwynedd avenged their only regular season conference loss to the Knights back on November 30th in Aston, Pa.

Senior Brittany Neill added 16 points with six rebounds and six assists. 13 points each from senior Bryn Cotteta and Natasha Matthews while freshman Jess Rotella chipped in 12. Cotteta dished out a game-high eight assists.

The Griffins put the game away early, racing out to a 17-5 edge and would lead 46-15 at halftime. Neumann (11-13, 10-5 CSAC) was held to 5-of-32 (15.6%) shooting as GM scored 15 points off of 12 first-half turnovers. Gwynedd went 19-for-40 (47.5%) in the stanza.

Gwynedd had their biggest lead of the game with 15:42 in the second on a short jumper from Taylour Alston.

Brittany Wood led the Knights with 15 points. Erica Marvel added 11 while Sami Borcky netted 10 and pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds. Neumann rebounded to shoot 43.8% (14-for-32) in the second stanza.

Alston and sophomore Nicole Dougherty grabbed nine boards apiece as GM held a 52-42 advantage on the glass. Alston also added three blocks and two steals.

Gwynedd-Mercy will close out the regular season on Wednesday, February 15th when they host Cabrini at 6 p.m. here at the Griffin Complex.