Lakewood, N.J. - The Georgian Court University women's basketball squad, taking the floor for the first time since Tuesday, hosted Assumption College Sunday afternoon in the GCU Wellness Center. Behind a 20-10 fourth quarter, the visiting Greyhounds sprinted to a 56-48 non-conference victory over the Lions.

Assumption (1-3) jumped out to a 17-12 lead after the initial 10:00 of action and held on to a 24-21 surplus heading into intermission after a low-scoring second stanza (9-7). The Greyhounds opened the third session with a 11-4 spurt to go ahead by 10 (35-25) at the 5:50 mark of the period. 

A Catherine Phipps jump shot with 0:57 left in the frame capped a 10-0 counterpunch by the home team, tying the affair at 35-all. Jaelyn Tweedy contributed a three-ball with 21 ticks remaining to provide the Lions a slim 38-35 advantage.

Heading into the fourth-and-final period up by two (38-36), GCU increased its lead to four (43-39), courtesy of a Phipps three-pointer with 4:59 remaining in regulation. The Greyhounds proceeded to press the pedal to the metal with a 16-2 charge to give the visitors a healthy 55-45 advantage with just 20 seconds to go. 

Both teams demonstrated subpar shooting efforts with Assumption edging the Lions, 30.2% to 29.2%, in the field goal column.

I loved our intensity on defense (today)," stated GCU head coach Jazz Perazic. "Obviously, we must improve our rebounding.  We can't win games if we continue to allow that huge of a rebounding margin. However, I am very happy with our progress.  We will continue to get better and as I said before, teams will have to play their best to beat us at home.  We are very close to having a true and totally new identity as a team.  Our identity includes intensity, accountability and toughness. I am very proud of our effort and can't wait for the next game."


Morgan O'Donnell (Easton, Mass.) captained the bus for the Greyhounds as the 6'1" junior ledgered a double-double performance of 15 boards and 14 points. Brianna Capacchione (So.-Washington Twp., N.J.) and Meghan Cramb (Fr.-New Boston, N.H.) followed with 12 points apiece while Temi Falayi (Fr.-Peabody, Mass.) grabbed 11 rebounds for the victors.

Phipps paced the GCU offense with her 13 points on the day. Jaelyn Tweedy followed with 12 of her own. Nerea Brajac dished six helpers for the 1-4 Lions while Destiny Thompson was a force on the defensive end with a game-high six swats.

The Lions return to action Tuesday night with a non-conference home game vs. Salem International University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.