GWYNEDD VALLEY (PA)---- The Delaware Valley University men's basketball team fell behind quickly and couldn't overcome a 21-point halftime deficit, as the Aggies fell to the host Gwynedd Mercy 98-79 in non-conference action to begin the season.
Pernell Ghee got the Aggies (0-1) a lead on their first possession, but the Griffins (1-0) rattled off a 16-0 run over a 3:18 span, capped off by a Manny Clark three-point play, to take a 16-2 lead. Gwynedd's lead grew to 24 midway through the half, as the hosts came out on fire, shooting 14-19 from the field and 6-7 from beyond the arc over the first 10:12 of the game to hold a 38-14 lead.
With the Aggies' deficit sitting at 45-22 with 4:47 left in the half, DelVal went on an 8-0 run started by a Ryan Black three pointer. Godly Marc then converted a layup and Matt Paulus knocked down a triple to bring the Aggies to within 15 at 45-30. Gwynedd Mercy quickly grew their lead back to 20 off two Matt O'Connor free throws and a Keith Otto triple. The Griffins would lead 54-33 at the half while shooting 18-30 (66.7%) from the field and 7-11 from beyond the arc (63.6%).
The beginning of the second half belonged to Gwynedd Mercy, as they grew their lead as many as 30 with a 77-47 advantage 7:48 into the second half. Donaven Spencer contributed eight points during that stretch, while Aziz Parker added seven.
The Aggies put together a 13-4 run of their own over the next 4:12 to bring the gap back to 21, led by Marc's nine points and Jordan Tucker's four. Gwynedd Mercy wouldn't allow the Aggies to get much closer the rest of the way, as the smallest lead was 18 in the second half.
Aziz Parker led all scorers with 25 points for Gwynedd Mercy on 7-11 shooting and 4-4 from three. Manny Clark poured in 24 for the Griffins on 9-11 shooting from the floor and added seven rebounds. Donaven Spencer had a solid game across the board, with 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals.
The Aggies had a balanced attack, as Jordan Tucker finished with a team high 16 points, with Ryan Black and Godly Marc each finishing with 14. Tucker added a team-high nine rebounds for DelVal, while Marc led the Aggies with four assists. Pernell Ghee added 13 points on 5-7 shooting and Matt Paulus was the fifth Aggie in double figures with 11 and three three-pointers.
Overall, Gwynedd Mercy was effective from the start, as the Griffins finished 33-55 (60%) from the floor and 13-20 (65%) from three point range. They also went 19-23 (82.6%) from the free throw line.
DelVal finished the night 29-63 from the field, good for 46%. The visitors knocked down 11 of 27 three point attempts, led by Ryan Blacks's four triples.
The Aggies narrowly won the turnover battle, as they forced the Griffins into 18 compared to their 17. Gwynedd Mercy made the most of those opportunities however, as they scored 27 points off those miscues compared to just 10 for DelVal.
The Aggies jump right back into action tomorrow, as they concluded the Gwynedd tip-off tournament against Neumann University at 12pm.
