Lakewood, N.J.- The Georgian Court University women's basketball team secured its first season-opening triumph in four years Saturday afternoon as the Lions cruised to a commanding 69-55 victory over visiting Merrimack College on day one of their 2016 GCU Invitational.

The Lions are 1-0 on the year for the first time since defeating Chestnut Hill College, 67-51, in the 2012 opener (11/14/12). Today's 14-point victory is GCU's largest margin of victory since dismissing the University of the Sciences by an identical 67-51 back on December 8 of last season.

Things started strongly for the Warriors as Merrimack (0-1) jumped out to a 13-5 lead over the first 5:49 of the contest. GCU would climb to within one point as a Jada Atchison three-pointer with 48 seconds left in the first quarter concluded a 9-0 Georgian Court run, cutting the deficit to 14-13.

Trailing by a score of 19-14 to start the second quarter, the GCU offense pounced all over the Warriors and outscored its guest, 41-17, over the next 20 minutes of play to take a commanding 55-36 advantage heading into the fourth frame. Merrimack would edge the home team, 19-14, in the final session, but the win was already well in hand for the victors.

GCU shot 28-of-64 (43.8%), including a 7-for-23 (30.4%) effort from three-point territory. 

Alliyah Berger kicked off her final season in spectacular fashion as the senior shooter drained a game-best 29 points (12-17), which included four three-pointers and three blocks over 39 minutes of action. Jaelyn Tweedy collected 14 points over 33 minutes while tallying a team-high four steals. 

Jada Atchison buried 11 points in the win and topped the roster with five assists. Destiny Thompson owned the glass with 14 boards, including nine of the defensive variety.

Georgian Court now looks ahead to Sunday as the Lions take on #1 Bentley University at 2:00 p.m. The 1-0 Falcons soared to a 76-49 win vs. Concordia College (0-1) in the first game of the GCU Invite.