LAKEWOOD, NJ- The Georgian Court University basketball squad, down by 12 at the half, kicked it into gear in the second stanza, eventually winning an overtime thriller, 77-70, over Chestnut Hill College Thursday evening at the GCU Wellness Center. The Lions snapped a five-game losing streak with the victory, improving to 2-5 (1-0 CACC). The Lady Griffins remain winless, falling to 0-8 (0-2 CACC).

Chestnut Hill jumped out to an 8-0 lead to start the contest, forcing Head Coach Valerie Curtis and the Lions to call a timeout at 17:50. The Lady Griffins poured it on, outshooting GCU, 56% (14-for-25) to 20% (7-for-35) from the field, while bringing a 35-23 lead into the locker room at halftime. CHC's Lindsay Alexander (Fr.-Huntingdon Valley, PA) shot a perfect 8-for-8, which included a 5-for-5 effort from the field and a stellar 3-for-3 from the free-throw stripe, for 13 total points.

GCU came back in the second half and turned the tables in the second frame, this time besting Chestnut Hill with a 35-23 advantage of their own. Shawna Wert (Fr.) led the charge with 14 points while Dee Varley (Sr.) (pictured) drained 10 points of her own, which included an 8-for-10 effort from the free throw line and nine rebounds.

Tied at 58-58, the clubs exchanged baskets before Wert broke the tie for good when she sank two free throws at 2:10 remaining to give the Lions a 65-64 advantage. Free throws were the name of the game in overtime as 13 of GCU's 19 points came from the charity stripe. In fact, the point can be made for the entire contest as Georgian Court shot 39-for-48 (81%).

Four Lady Griffins tallied five personal fouls, including Alexander who led all scorers with her 24 points. Davina Yacab (Sr.-Patterson, NJ) registered 10 points off the bench for Chestnut Hill. Jessica Pruiti (Jr.-Old Bridge, NJ) grabbed ten boards, all of the defensive variety.

Wert led the Lions with 23 total points, including a dazzling 9-10 (90%) from the free throw line.Varley drained in 21 off the GCU bench (12-14, 86% FT) and grabbed an astounding 15 rebounds. Dana Wert (Fr.) sank 13 points of her own while  sinking 9 of 12 free throws (75%).

Georgian Court takes it on the road this Saturday with a 1:00pm contest vs. Holy Family University in Philadelphia, PA.