Gwynedd Mercy Defeats Neumann, 84-70, to Win 2016 CSAC Men's Basketball Championship - Feb 28, 2016

The top-seeded Gwynedd Mercy University Griffins (21-6) defeated the second-seeded Neumann University Knights (19-8), 84-70, to win the 2016 Colonial States Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Championship Saturday afternoon at the Griffin Complex.
Making their first CSAC men's basketball championship game appearance since 2010-11, the Griffins captured their fifth CSAC men's basketball title and first since 2008-09. The Griffins have earned the CSAC's automatic berth to the NCAA tournament and will learn their opponent during Monday's NCAA Selection Show.
The Griffins held the lead for the majority of the first half and led 40-30 at intermission. But a 17-3 run over the first five minutes of the second half put the Knights up 47-43 with 15:08 left in regulation. Darnell Artis (5'9''-PG) drew the Griffins even at 55-55 with 9:46 left and it was a seesaw battle for the next few minutes. Artis, who was named the CSAC Men's Basketball Championship MVP, came up big once again when he converted a conventional three-point play with less than six minutes to play to put the Griffins up 64-61, a lead they would not relinquish. Gwynedd Mercy connected on 13-of-15 from the foul line in the closing minutes to clinch the victory.
Artis tied for game-high scoring honors with 27 points on 8-of-14 shooting to go along with four assists and four rebounds. Julian Hyden (6'7''-G) finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds while Aaron Morgan (5'11''-PG) and Brian Hennessey (6'5''-G) tallied nine points apiece.
James Butler (6'3''-F) paced the Knights with 23 points, hitting 10-of-15 from the field, while DeShawn Lowman (6'1''-G) finished with 14 and Darian Barnes (6'6''-F) netted 13.
Gwynedd Mercy outrebounded Neumann, 45-31, and hit 30-of-35 from the foul line on the day.

CSAC Tournament Final: Gwynedd Mercy - Neumann 84-70
CSAC Tournament Semifinals:
Gwynedd Mercy - Rosemont 92-84
Neumann - Cabrini 76-75

Courtesy of CSAC Sports