North Andover, Mass.- The 2018-19 women's basketball campaign is underway for Georgian Court University as the Lions dropped a 94-64 decision at Merrimack College in the opener of the two-day Merrimack Conference Challenge.

With the score knotted at 8-8 in the first frame, the Warriors (1-0) closed out the remaining 5:49 with an 18-8 run to close the period with a 10-point surplus (26-16). Merrimack coasted through the second quarter, 25-13, to increase its lead to 51-29 heading into intermission.

The Lions (0-1) responded by taking the third stanza, 19-16, to cut the deficit to 19 (67-48) heading into the fourth-and-final quarter.  The Warriors outpaced GCU, 27-16, over the final ten minutes to ease into victory lane with a 30-point pillow at the final horn.

Merrimack's 94 points are the most permitted by the Lions since Caldwell University dropped 95 on Georgian Court back on December 6, 2014.

Four Warriors reached double-digits in the scoring column, topped by Lindsay Werner (Sr.-Groton, Mass.) and her game-high 28. Alyssa Casey (So.-Andover, Mass.) registered 17 points and team-best nine rebounds. Denia Davis-Stewart (Jr.-Dorchester, Mass.) recorded 14 points and all six of her team's blocks while Mayson Kimball (So.-Kimball, N.H.) netted 12 points of her own.

Karlee Alves (Sr.-Ellington, Conn.) dished 15 assists, to go along with eight points and six swipes, in the non-conference win.

Jada Atchison, playing her first game for the Lions since Nov. 21, 2017 due to injury, enjoyed a stellar return to the hardwood with a team-high 18 points for the royal and gold. Nerea Brajac followed with 14 points in her 30 minutes of action.

GCU returns to competition Saturday evening with a 7:00 p.m. showdown vs. Bentley University. The Falcons (1-0) defeated Concordia (NY) College, 94-56, Friday night, also hosted by Merrimack.