Lakewood, N.J. - Georgian Court University, kicking off the 2019-20 home schedule Wednesday night vs. the University of the District of Columbia, suffered a gut-wrenching defeat as the Lions fell to the Firebirds, 85-83, in overtime men's basketball action.

The Lions came out of the gate white hot as a Kim Speller layup put the royal and blue ahead, 17-3, just five minutes into the contest. The GCU surplus increased to a game-high 17 after a Caleb Bowser three-pointer made the score 39-22 with 2:17 remaining in the first half.

UDC sliced the deficit to 12 over the remaining time, but Georgian Court still strutted into intermission up 41-29.

After a Shane Williams three-ball advanced the Lions' lead to 47-33 two minutes into the second stanza, the Firebirds scorched the Lions with a 19-3 run to take their first lead of game at the 12:13 mark (52-50). The lead would change hands three times, with five surpluses interspersed, the rest of regulation.

A pair of Bowser free throws put GCU up by one (73-72) with 50 ticks remaining while a subsequent charity effort by the Lions' senior increased the Georgian Court lead to 74-72 with 00:13 left. Unable to hold on, the Lions fouled UDC's Zachary Olukanni (Sr.-Teaneck), who promptly drained both freebies with eight seconds left to force the extra session.

GCU (0-3) came out energized in overtime with a 6-2 spurt to take an 80-76 lead with 2:59 on the clock. Unfortunately for the Lions, UDC (4-1) authored a rally of its own to lead the Lions the rest of the way, 9-3, and complete the non-conference comeback win.

Five Firebirds shot in double-figures, led by Cheyenne Nettleton (Jr.-Queens, N.Y.) and his 24 points off the UDC bench. Aaren Smith (Jr.-Ellicott City, Md.) collected a double-double consisting of 13 points and 12 boards while Jamir Marable Williams (So.-Philadelphia, Pa.) provided 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

As for Georgian Court, Bowser paced the squad with his game-high 26 points (42 minutes), to go along with nine rebounds and six helpers. Alonzo Ortiz-Traylor followed with 16 points of his own and matched his teammate with nine boards. Speller added 11 points on the night for the Lions.

The game marked GCU's first OT effort since falling at home to University of the Sciences, 84-78, last January 8. The Lions have come up short in their last five overtime appearances, dating back to the 2017-18 season.

GCU returns to action Saturday at 2:00 p.m. with another non-conference showdown, this time at Mercy College.