Lakewood, N.J. - After playing its first four games of the season on the road, the Georgian Court University men's basketball squad took to the home hardwood for the first time Tuesday evening as the Lions thrilled the GCU faithful with a decisive 73-67 decision over visiting Assumption College in non-conference action.

A Milos Djeric free throw at the 12:29 mark of the first half provided the Lions (1-4) with a seemingly-commanding 17-6 advantage. However, a Matthew Kelly (So.-North Potomac, Md.) three-ball at 5:47 completed a 21-10 sprint by the Greyhounds to knot the score at 27-all. The road team held on to the momentum to close the half with a slim 35-33 lead.

The intermission was good to the Lions as GCU came out refreshed with a 15-2 onslaught and 48-37 surplus with 13:52 left. The lead would increase to a comfy 61-48 after a Kim Speller jumper at 8:48. Assumption ramped up Georgian Court's anxiety by slicing the deficit to a miniscule two points (67-69) with just 0:24 to go, thanks to a 19-8 push.

Bryce Council, however, would proceed to seal the victory for his mates as the sophomore sank four clutch free throws over the remaining seconds to provide the Lions their first home triumph since Jan. 24 vs. University of the Sciences (65-63), and first vs. a non-conference foe in the Wellness Center since Jan. 5, 2015 against St. Thomas Aquinas College (67-58).

Matt Ringel highlighted the Lions' lineup with a 20-point, eight-rebound performance in his home debut. Council (7-for-8 FT) and Caleb Bowser (six assists) each provided 15 points apiece while Will Osborn drained 10 of his own in the victory.

Cal Connelly (Fr.-Rochester, N.H.) carried the 3-2 Greyhounds with 16 points and five boards over 27 minutes. Kelly connected on 14 points (3-for-5 3PT), followed by Damien Rance (Sr.-Melbourne, Australia) with his 10.

The Lions board a plane for their next outing as the team jets to Melbourne, Fla. to participate in the Florida Tech Thanksgiving Tournament. GCU will take on Concordia University-St. Paul  this Friday at 1:30 p.m.