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Division III Gwynedd-Mercy Peaking at Right Time

By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- After beating Baptist Bible last night 73-65, Division III Gwynedd-Mercy College sits at 15-8 on the season.   That victory was also the Griffinss fifth straight as they fight for position in the upcoming Colonial States Athletic Conference tournament.

Prior to this streak, it had been an up and down season for Gwynedd-Mercy and head coach John Baron talks about what has come together as of late.

"I just think like any team, whether you are in athletics or even in the workplace, you have to gel together as a team and you have to learn each other's tendencies.  We did have a few injuries and we have a full squad now back.  I think now chemistry is starting to develop, (along) with some  confidence with a few wins in a row."

Listen to KYW's Matt Leon's interview with John Baron:

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The Griffins are led by senior guard Dan DelConte who pours in 21 points a game while dishing out nearly five assists a contest.  Now, Gwynedd-Mercy can score the basketball, they average 80 points a game, and Baron says that is no accident.

"We try to get up and down the floor, there is no doubt about that.  We play three guards and two forwards.  We try not to identify who the point guard technically is, although it is Dan DelConte, but we have guys in Doug Berzins, Brandyn Wims and a freshman Justin Knight, Brendan Stanton, all our guards can handle (the ball), they can get up and down the floor.  And we try and cause some havoc on the defensive end as well."

Griffins also get solid play from junior forward Frank Champion who is averaging nearly 11 points and more than seven rebounds a game.

Gwynedd Mercy is currently third in the CSAC behind nationally ranked (#7) Cabrini and Keystone, and they are dangerous this time of year.   The Griffins have qualified for the NCAA Tournament two of the last three seasons.  They will try to take another step toward returning to the dance when they take the court Saturday at home against Neumann.

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