Garden City, N.Y. - Taking the floor for the first time since suffering a season-ending knee injury last February 19, Matt Ringel looked better than ever Friday as the senior secured an opening-day double-double as Georgian Court took on Pace University in the Adelphi University Conference Challenge.

Ringel did not skip a step in his return as the Marlboro, N.J. native poured in 13 points and grabbed 10 boards in 20 overall minutes as the Lions fell to the Setters, 79-69, in the 2019-20 lid-lifter for both programs.

Pace (1-0) led the entire contest as the Setters secured a game-high 14-point advantage (18-4) just 6:39 after the opening tip. Trailing by nine (43-34) at intermission, the Lions turned on the offense to start the second stanza as GCU cut its deficit to just two points after closing out a 26-19 run with 8:06 to go in regulation.

Georgian Court stayed within single-digits until the final minute when Pace's Brandon Jacobs (Cambria Heights, N.Y.) netted a pair of free throws with 50 seconds left on the clock. The junior finished the contest with 20 points and six assists, including a perfect 10-for-10 effort from the charity stripe.

Peyton Wejnert (Point Pleasant, N.J.), younger brother of former GCU star, Jordan ('13-'15), topped all scorers with 29 points (eight rebounds) as the senior hit 11-of-18 from the floor. Bryan Powell (Fr.-Middletown, N.Y.) authored a double-double performance in his collegiate debut.

As for the Lions (0-1), Caleb Bowser began his final campaign with a 16-point effort, including six-for-six at the free-throw line. Davon Floyd, sporting the royal and gold for the first time, hit 10-of-10 free-throw attempts (10 total points) in the effort.

GCU returns to action Saturday evening vs. host-Adelphi University (6:00 p.m.). The Panthers defeated Queens College (N.Y.), 76-63, in Friday's first game of the afternoon.