Lakewood, N.J.- The Georgian Court University women's basketball squad put a stop to its seven-game losing streak in dramatic fashion Thursday evening in the Wellness Center as the Lions upset visiting Philadelphia University, 66-59, to secure its first-ever home win vs. the Lady Rams.

GCU (2-7, 2-4 CACC) last defeated Philadelphia on 12/18/08 with a 61-55 road win. The Lions now improve to 2-15 all-time vs. the Lady Rams (5-4, 3-2 CACC) since Philly's inception into the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) prior to the 2005-06 campaign.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair between the two squads as the Lions entered the intermission with a 37-34 lead. GCU drilled its first eight attempts from the floor, concluding with a Brittany Baker jumper with 12:55 remaining and providing Georgian Court with an 18-15 lead.

A Shauneia McPhearson jumper with 10:21 on the clock increased the lead to a game-high eight points (24-16). A pair of successful free throws by Monica Schacker (So.-Doylestown, PA) with 5:34 remaining in the half concluded an 11-0 run by the Lady Rams and provided the visitors with 27-24 lead.

The Lions would regain the lead on an Elizabeth Lawler jumper with 1:36, giving GCU a slim 32-31advantage and a lead which would increase to three prior to the halftime horn. Both teams shot well in the first stanza, with Georgian Court owning a 50.0% (17-34)-43.3% (13-30) edge.

After Tori Arnao's (Fr.-Newtown, PA) layup cut the Philadelphia deficit to 37-36 1:40 into the second half, the score would remain within one point or tied before Tahira Matthews' layup with 12:30 remaining increased GCU's lead to 44-41 and commenced a mini 6-0 run for the Lions.

The Lady Rams answered with a 13-4 spurt of their own and snared a 53-52 lead with 4:46 to go in regulation. With the contest tied at 56-all at 3:13 remaining, the home team sprinted to the finish with a solid 8-3 rally to secure the historic victory.

GCU owned a 48-40 lead on the boards. Philadelphia committed 20 turnovers compared to 16 by the Lions.

Christina White earned her third double-double of the season with 11 rebounds to go along with her 10 points. Baker provided her first double-double on the year with10 points of her own and a team-high 13 boards.

McPhearson led all scorers with 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds while Matthews popped in 13 in 18 minutes off the GCU bench. Ebony Sellers dished out a game-high five assists and swiped three steals in the effort.

Arnao recorded a double-double for Philadelphia with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Teammate Samantha Morris (Jr.-Wenonah, NJ) dropped in 12 points of her own while Schacker proved 10 in 24 minutes off the bench. Kristen Blye (Sr.-Chester Springs, PA) snagged 10 rebounds for the Lady Rams.

The Lions look to make it two straight this Saturday with a non-conference road contest at Lincoln University. Start time is slated for 1:00 p.m.