RADNOR, PA – The Cabrini men's basketball team fell on the short side of an instant classic tonight at Nerney Field House, as Gwynedd Mercy's Arron Goodman drained a three pointer at the buzzer to down the Cavaliers 73-71.

The Blue and White led by as many as 15 points in the second half and led 71-70 on junior Deryl Bagwell's runner with 19 seconds to play. Following a GMercyU timeout, senior Ryan Charity was inches from sealing a victory, as his steal attempt dribbled out of bounds.

Griffins' junior Rip Engel had an attempt a game-winner, but Bagwell recorded his second blocked shot of the night. The ball rolled out of bounds with 1.5 seconds to play, giving the Griffins one final attempt.

A lob pass found Goodman about 23 feet from the bucket, where he drained the jumper that ended the Cavaliers' title hopes.

The loss dropped Cabrini to 19-7 overall, while the Griffins improved to 21-6 and advance to Saturday's CSAC championship game, where it will face top seeded Neumann. The Knights advanced to the title game with an 87-69 win over Rosemont in tonight's other semifinal.

Four Cavaliers scored in double figures tonight, led by junior Tyheim Monroe's 25 points and eight rebounds.  Bagwell finished the night with his fifth double-double of the season, pairing 10 points with 11 rebounds and two steals.

Charity added 16 points on 7-11 shooting off the bench, while junior DeVahnte Mosley added 12 points.

Both clubs played a back and forth opening 10 minutes, before Monroe drained back to back three pointers and a Charity hoop and harm gave the Cavaliers a 22-14 lead with 7:42 left in the first half.

GMercyU responded with a 12-0 run of its own to regain a 27-24 lead at the two minute mark.  The Blue and White scored the final six points of the half, as Charity's jumper gave Cabrini a 30-27 lead at the break.

The Cavaliers came out of the break refocused and rested, and it showed on the floor.  Cabrin opened the half on a 17-3 run.  All five Cavalier on the floor scored during the spurt, as Bagwell's lay-up gave Cabrini a seemingly comfortable 47-30 lead with just under 16 minutes to play.

As hot as they were coming out of the locker room, the Cavaliers went just as cold over the next 12 minutes.  Mosley connected on a pair of free throws to give the Cavaliers a 51-36 lead with 13:54 to play.

Over the next 11-plus minutes, Cabrini went 2-10 from the field, including 0-6 from three point range and committed five fouls and six turnovers.  The Griffins took full advantage, outscoring the Cavaliers 29-8, to build a 64-59 lead with 4:29 to play.

The Blue and White scored the next seven points to regain a slim 66-64 lead at the 3:23 mark.

Despite the Griffins evening the score at 66 and 68, the Cavaliers did not relinquish their lead until a lay-up by Cedric Elleby gave GMercyU a 70-69 lead with 39 seconds to play.

Bagwell's lay-up gave the Blue and White a lead on its next possession before Goodman's jumper ended the night.

Gwynedd Mercy built its comeback on the strength of an inside dominance.  Cabrini was outrebounded 29-15 in the second half, with 16 of Gwynedd's rebounds coming on the offensive glass.  Those boards led to a 39-25 advantage in field goal attempts and a 24-5 advantage in second chance points after the break.

Goodman led the Griffins with 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Elleby finished with 15 points and eight boards. Sophomore Courtney Cubbage added 10 points and 10 rebounds.