RADNOR, PA – The Cavaliers held off a late charge to move to the top of the Colonial States Athletic Conference standings with a 92-88 win over Gwyned Mercy tonight at Nerney Field House.

With the win, Cabrini moved to 17-3 overall and 12-2 in the Colonial States Athletic Conference. The Blue and White's 20 game record is the program's best since beginning the 2013-14 season 20-0.

Only seven Cavaliers saw action tonight, but each made significant contributions. Junior Anthony Wright-Downing led Cabrini with a career best 23 points on 10-12 shooting to go with nine rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals.

Senior Tyheim Monroe continued his double-double streak, pairing 18 points and 10 rebounds, including 15 points after the break. Freshman Trey Smith added 14 points and a season best five assists, while sophomore Keith Blassingale matched the rookie with five dimes to go with 12 points.

The Griffins grabbed the early momentum, using a 10-0 spurt to build a seven point led just four minutes after the tip.  The Blue and White responded with a 13-2 run of its own, as Blassingale, junior Mike Doyle and Monroe hit three straight triples.

With the score tied at 30-30, the Cavaliers used a 10-1 run over the next 2:30 to establish a 40-31 lead, as senior Deryl Bagwell hit Smith for a triple.  The lead grew as high as 10 points before the Cavaliers took their 49-40 lead into the halftime break.

While the Griffins scored the first four points of the second half, the Cavaliers scored on their next three possessions, pushing their lead to game-high 56-44.  Despite maintaining a lead, Cabrini's advantage was ever comfortable.

Monroe's three pointer at the 6:52 mark put the Blue and White ahead 81-72, but Gwynedd Mercy responded with a 10-0 run of its own. Senior Rip Engel's lay-up put the Griffins ahead 82-81 with 4:33 on the clock, Gwynedd Mercy's first lead since 20-18 midway through the first half.

Cabrini's deficit was short-lived, as Monroe's three point play on the Cavaliers' next possession sparked a quick 6-0 run to put the Cavaliers ahead 87-82 with 3:08 to play.

A Rich Dunham triple pulled the Griffins to within 89-87 with 55 seconds to play, but offensive fouls on both teams on their subsequent possessions forced Gwynedd Mercy to send the Blue and White to the charity stripe.

Monroe connected on 3-4 from the line in the final 20 seconds, as Cabrini held the Griffins without a field goal in the final 55 seconds.

After shooting .586 from the field in the first half, the Cavaliers maintained their lead by connecting on .486 of their  second half field goal attempts, and recording just five second half turnovers.

Bagwell and freshmen DJ Smith chipped in with nine points each, while Doyle added seven points.

Dunham paced the Griffins (16-3, 11-2 CSAC) with 31 points on 10-15 from the field and 10-11 from the free throw line. Senior Will Davis scored 16 points, while classmate Rip Engel added 10 points, five boards and six assists.
 
The Cavaliers will step out of conference play on Saturday, as they host the College of Staten Island in the inaugural CUNYAC-CSAC Challenge. Tip-off is slated for 2pm at Nerney Field House.