Lakewood, N.J.- Taking the floor for the final time before the turn of the calendar, the Georgian Court University men's basketball squad got an early start on its New Year's resolutions as the Lions turned in one of its best efforts of the campaign, eventually falling to visiting Stonehill College, 87-78, Thursday afternoon in the GCU Wellness Center.

The Lions looked nothing like a 1-13 squad as the home team shot a scalding 56.9% (33-for-58) from the floor. Unfortunately for Georgian Court, it would be the Skyhawks' 11 three-pointers and 22 (of 27) free throws that would secure the victory for the visitors in the non-conference holiday hook-up.

Stonehill (8-4) appeared to be coasting to the triumph as the Skyhawks soared to a 29-13 advantage with 10:08 remaining before intermission. A Daniel Largey (Fr.-Oceanport, N.J.) three-ball at 6:12 put the guests ahead by 14 before an 11-0 GCU surge sliced the deficit to 40-37 with 2:41 left.

Coming out of the locker room with a seven-point advantage, Stonehill increased that mark to a game-high 18 points (65-47) with 12:10 to go in regulation. The Lions again continued to claw back as a Juwuan Carter lay-in at 3:59 ended a 22-9 run to put GCU within five points (74-69). Unfortunately, the felines would fatigue as the Skyhawks outscored Georgian Court over the remaining minutes, 13-9, to earn the always-tough road win.

"We did enough to compete today, but not enough to give us a chance to win," stated GCU head coach Terrence Stewart. "We played our tails off, and I definitely feel we turned a corner as we head into the second half of the season." 

After missing the previous three contests, senior Keith Hughes returned to action in grand fashion by pouring in a game-best (and season-high) 25 points, to go along with a team-topping six boards and four steals. Carter followed with 16 points of his own while Nikola Vujovic added 15 points and five rebounds. Caleb Bowser also eclipsed double-digits with his 13 on the day.

Five players achieved double-digit scoring efforts for Stonehill, led by KJ Lee (Jr.-Huntington Station, N.Y.) with his 16. The junior also led all players with his six helpers on the afternoon. Joel Berroa (Jr.-Lawrence, Mass.) and Ryan Logan (Sr.-Fredricktown, Ohio) kept pace with 14 points apiece while Largey and Michael Boen (So.-Mansfield, Mass.) followed with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

The GCU gentlemen return to action on Wednesday (January 4) with a CACC road contest at Concordia College. Tip is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.