Box Score Lakewood, N.J.- On a night the Georgian Court University women's basketball squad honored its senior trio of Alliyah Berger, Brittany Hooks and Ivana Kovacev, the Lions provided the plethora of family and friends packed into the stands a night they'll never forget as GCU upset divisional-rival, Philadelphia University, 86-81 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action.

The victory snapped a 10-game slide for the home team, improving Georgian Court to 4-21 (2-16 CACC) overall. The Lady Rams, losers of four straight, drop to 12-14 (7-10 CACC). The win extinguishes an eight-game skid vs. Philadelphia, marking the first defeat of GCU's South Division foe since Dec. 12, 2012 when the Lions won 66-59 in the Wellness Center.

Thursday night's 86-point outburst marked the Lions' highest since defeating the University of New Haven at home, 86-74, last season on Dec. 20, 2015.

Georgian Court kicked off the contest with quality mojo, winning the first quarter by a 22-14 count, including a 5-0 sprint to close the period. The Lions increased that margin to 28-14 after three-pointers from Berger and Jaelyn Tweedy represented the first six points of the second stanza.

After a Jessica Kaminski (So.-Philadelphia, Pa.) lay-up moved the Lady Rams to within 12 at 28-16, the Lions erupted for an 8-0 spurt to take a commanding 36-16 lead with 6:10 remaining before intermission. Philadelphia was able to slice five points off the deficit before the halftime buzzer, but GCU still possessed a seemingly comfortable 48-33 advantage heading into the locker room.

The Lady Rams earned a slim 16-15 victory of the third quarter, but the Lions never lost its double-digit lead and still enjoyed a healthy surplus of 63-49 heading into the fourth and final frame.  

A Kaitlyn Lister jumper put the home team ahead, 68-54, with 8:10 remaining in regulation which set the stage for an injection of drama as the Lady Rams bowled over the Lions with an 11-0 run that put the visitors to within three (68-65) at the 5:10 mark. Philadelphia would continue to charge, slicing the GCU lead to just two points at the 20-second and 11-second marks, but a pair of Berger free throws with four ticks remaining provided the Lions the breathing room it needed to close out the upset.

"I am so happy for our seniors and our entire team," stated GCU head coach Jazz Perazic. "Is there anything better than winning on a senior night and for our seniors?!" "Nijiera Addison really came through on defense and with a few crucial rebounds at the end of the game."

Berger topped the Lions with her 23 points and 13 boards, which complemented the senior's five assists and two blocks. The double-double marked Allyah's teams-leading seventh of the year while draining 20 or more points for the 13th time this season. Tweedy added 22 points in 35 minutes, including three three-pointers, while Jada Atchison spiced things up with 16 points and six helpers.

Kaminski paced Philadelphia with her game-high 27 points, including 15-of-20 from the charity stripe. Rachel Day (Jr.-Horsham, Pa.) played the entire 40 minutes for the Lady Rams, pouring in 25 points in the process.

The Lions close out the 2016-17 campaign this Tuesday night with a 6:00 p.m. conference contest at Holy Family University.