LAKEWOOD, N.J.- Despite a 33-27 halftime deficit and a game-high 31 points from Wilmington University freshman Tenicia Spence (Baltimore, Md.), defeat was not on the menu for the Lions as the Georgian Court University basketball squad surmounted a zesty second stanza comeback and outlasted the visiting Wildcats, 68-65, in Tuesday night CACC hoops action at the GCU Wellness Center.

The Lions improve to 5-11 on the year and up its conference mark to 5-6 while Wilmington slips to 3-15 (1-10 CACC).

A saucy layup courtesy of Inayah Williams with 7:32 remaining in the first half gave the host-Lions a thin 18-17 advantage. However, Spence's free throw with 7:17 to go and her layup at 4:14 bookended a 13-5 Wilmington run, giving the Wildcats a 30-23 lead.

Wilmington would increase it's upperhand to a meaty 12 points (39-27) after Spence deposited two free throws 1:37 into the second half. Georgian Court refused to succumb and molded a hearty comeback, outscoring the Wildcats, 21-9, over the next 7:47 minutes to tie the affair at 48-all with 10:36 remaining. 

With the contest still tied at 55-55 and with 7:26 remaining, GCU added another dash of spice to the offense with seven unanswered points. The Wildcats immediately countered with an 8-2 sprint, wisking within one point (64-63) and only 1:57 left on the timer.

After a Christina White layup provided Georgian Court with a slight 66-63 lead at 1:40, Spence added two free throws to put Wilmington back within one (66-65). However, White's own two free throws with 23 seconds remaining garnished the GCU victory.

Brittany Baker cooked up her second double-double of the year for GCU as the junior snared a game-high 15 boards while draining 11 points. Shauneia McPhearson deposited 13 points of her own while Jasmine Cobbs a personal season-high of 10.

Tahira Matthews ripped down 10 boards and scored seven points. Elizabeth Lawler provided three blocks to go along with eight boards and seven points.

Spence shot 11-for-23 from the floor and 8-for-11 from the charity stripe in 36 minutes for the Wildcats. Teammate Lauren Brown (Jr.-Bowie, Md.) also reached double digits with 12 points.

Georgian Court out-rebounded Wilmington by a mark of 54-38 and outshot their guests, 39.7%-36.5% from the floor.

The Lions next take the court on Wednesday, January 23 when they travel to the University of the Sciences for a 6:00 p.m. CACC match-up.