Lakewood, N.J. - Owning a slim two-point lead (60-58) after the third period of play, the Lions exploded for a 20-4 tear to take a commanding 80-62 advantage with 3:56 left in regulation as Georgian Court University held on to dismiss Wilmington University, 83-72, Wednesday evening in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) women's hoops action.

The triumph snaps an overall five-game losing streak for the Lions (5-20, 3-15 CACC), and an eight-game slide vs. Wilmington. GCU last defeated the Wildcats back on Dec. 18, 2013 in a 74-64 victory in the Wellness Center.

Wilmington's largest lead of the contest came at the 6:19 mark of the first quarter when a Macy Robinson (Jr.-Wilmington, Del.) layup put the visitors ahead, 13-7. A 10-3 spurt by GCU, capped by a Dora Cipcic lay-in at 2:53, put the Lions ahead by one at 17-16. The home team would hold on to win the stanza, 23-20, and lead the entire second period to escape into intermission up by five at 43-38.

The Wildcats would start the second half on a 13-6 run to take over the lead (51-49) 5:02 into the quarter. The Lions responded with an 11-7 counterpunch to go ahead by a hoop heading into the fourth-and-final frame.

Nothing ever comes easy for the Lions, especially in the fourth quarter. That theory was proven once again as the Wildcats, after falling down by 18, clawed its way through a 10-3 run over the final 3:56 to finish on a high note.

 "I am very proud of our effort tonight," stated GCU head coach Jazz Perazic. "Great team win ... I thought everyone contributed."  We didn't have Destiny (Thompson) tonight due to flu-like symptoms.  Alba (Herrero-Gomez) was huge in the clutch while Nijiera (Addison), Nerea (Brajac) and Dora (Cipcic) played really well.  Carna (Prokic) hit some amazing shots. And, of course, our two seniors had some incredible moments on offense.  So happy for the seniors and for our team."

The aforementioned seniors, Jess Placher and Jaelyn Tweedy, each eclipsed the 20-point mark in the victory. Placher buried 11-of-20 shots from the floor, including 4-of-9 shooting from the three-point line, to net a game-high 28 points. Tweedy drained 20 points and snared 11 boards to earn her team-best third double-double of the year. Herrero-Gomez added 12 points while Prokic contributed 14 for the Lions.

Robinson tied Placher for tops in the scoring column with 28 points in the Wilmington setback. Emma Matthews (Jr.-Smyrna, Del.) followed with 13 points while Nyree Grant (Jr.-Chestnut Ridge, N.Y.) and Jadyn Whitsitt (Fr.-Fort Washington, Md.) contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively.

The Lions now prepare to host Felician University this Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. in the 2018 season finale. GCU will recognize the stellar collegiate careers of Placher and Tweedy during a special pre-game ceremony.