LAKEWOOD, NJ- The Georgian Court University basketball squad debuted its 2012-13 edition Wednesday evening at the GCU Wellness Center as the Lions led from start to finish in their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference showdown with visiting Chestnut Hill College, defeating the Griffins by a 67-51 score.

The victory marks Georgian Court's first season-opening triumph since the Lions dropped Mercy College, 62-54, to open the 2009-10 campaign.

GCU (1-0, 1-0 CACC) poured it on immediately as the Lions sprinted to a speedy 8-0 lead. Georgian Court did not take its foot off the gas for the first ten minutes of action as Elizabeth Lawler's jumper at 9:33 remaining gave the home team a 26-4 advantage and 22-point high-water mark.

Chestnut Hill (1-2, 0-1 CACC) would close the half with a 19-11 run and go into intermission with a 37-23 deficit. GCU collected 17 points off 15 turnovers by the Griffins in the opening stanza. Tahira Matthews dropped in ten points in the half while Tara Steakin, in her collegiate debut, buried two three-pointers.

The Griffins provided a bit of tension for the Lions in the second half when Lindsay Alexander's (Sr.-Huntingdon Valley, PA) three -pointer with 8:47 remaining inched Chestnut Hill within five points, 50-45. Georgian Court quickly dismissed all comeback speculation from that point, ending the game with a 17-6 run.

Georgian Court took full advantage of Chestnut Hill's 28 turnovers, tallying 20 steals and 30 points off the miscues. The Lions also dominated on the boards, out-rebounding the Griffins, 43-33.

GCU's Matthews collected a game-high 14 points (7-for-10 from the floor) and eight rebounds to go along with three steals in 29 minutes. Christina White registered 13 points (5-for-13), seven boards, and three assists in 30 minutes. Steakin provided some desperately-missed long-distance sizzle for the Lions with 12 points off four three-pointers on the night.

Local product Annie Farrow (Jr.-Ocean, NJ) poured in a team-high 11 points and nine rebounds in 26 minutes for Chestnut Hill while teammate Lila Jones (So.-Lansdale, PA) provided ten points in 28 minutes off the Griffins' bench.

The Lions return to action on Monday evening when they host NYIT in non-conference action. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.