GLENSIDE, Pa. – The Arcadia University men's basketball team opened its 2016-17 season Tuesday night, falling 85-80 to Gwynedd Mercy in the Battle of 309
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Griffins took control early by opening the game on a 16-6 run over the first two-plus minutes. The Knights battled back with a 16-10 run of their own that saw them pull within as many as three on two separate occasions. Sophomore Evan Slone opened the spurt with a layup before classmate Josh Scott knocked down a three and fellow sophomore Jordan Sanders laid in his first points of the season to get within a 16-13 margin, sophomore Phil Pierfy made the score 18-15 two possessions later. After Gwynedd Mercy began rebuilding its lead, the Knights pulled within four twice before the half ended at 39-33 in favor of the visitors.
 
The beginning portion of the second stanza was a back-and-forth affair that saw Arcadia within four on four separate times. Scott laid in the first points of the half to make the score 39-35 just about two minutes in.  Rookie Kishan Patel wrapped up a 15-11 run for Arcadia to bring the score to 59-55 with 8:50 to go. The Griffins scored eight quick points to extend their lead to 12 with 7:26 remaining. The final seven-plus minutes were much like the first half, a back-and-forth affair. Arcadia had an opportunity to tie the game at 83 in the waning seconds of the contest. After sophomore Kyle Reilly made one of two free throws with 30 seconds left, senior Ryan Kelley stole the ball from Matt Sommers but missed the ensuing three-point attempt with 18 seconds to go.
 
ARCADIA LEADERS: Reilly dropped a team-high 21 points on 6-12 shooting from the floor and 8-11 from the free throw line. Sophomore Brandon Thompson added 17 points and Scott posted 12. Kelley dished out a team-leading eight assists, while sophomore Evan Slone hauled in seven rebounds.
 
GWYNEDD MERCY LEADERS: Rip Engel led all scorers with 27 points on 7-of-13 shooting and 7-of-9 from the charity stripe. Cedric Elleby recorded a double-double with 22 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Arron Goodman chipped in 20 points.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: The visitors outscored Arcadia 36-32 in the paint and 21-20 off the bench, however the Knights outscored the Griffins 19-15 off turnovers and 13-8 in second chance points.