Lakewood, N.J.- Coming off its first postseason appearance in 16 years, Georgian Court University kicked off the 2019-20 campaign fit and focused as the Lions upended visiting Southern New Hampshire University, 77-71, in the opener of the GCU Tip-Off Tournament.

The Lions started strong in the first quarter as a Tian Addison three-pointer put the home team ahead, 13-7, at the 6:11 mark. SNHU, not to be outdone, closed the frame with a 16-4 run to take a 23-17 advantage heading into the second.

A Victoria Dean (Sr.-Plymouth, Mass.) layup put the Penmen (0-1) up by eight (25-17) 22 seconds into the fresh quarter. The Lions responded as a Dora Cipcic ( eight points, seven rebounds), lay-in closed out a 12-2 Georgian Court spurt, putting the Lions up, 29-26, with 3:52 to go before the half.

With the score knotted at 35-all at intermission, SNHU commenced the third with a 6-2 start, going ahead 43-37 just 1:17 in. The Penmen held the Lions at bay for the remainder of the period as the road team entered the final session up by four (58-54).

Ariana Koivisto's (Fr.-Pomfret, Conn.) lay-up at 9:29 increased the Penmen's surplus to 60-54 before the Lions rallied to tie the affair at 64-64, capped by a pair of Cipcic free throws with 4:46 left. GCU proceeded to explode on a 13-7 sprint to close the contest, securing the signature win in the process.

Jada Atchison, a 2018-19 All-CACC performer, dropped in a game-high 34 points and grabbed 10 boards to earn the double-double. The graduate student sank 15-of-17 free throws on the day, including shooting a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe over the final 1:17 of action. Ivona Krakic also submitted her own double-double effort as the sophomore netted 12 points while leading all players with 15 rebounds, six assists, and three blocks. Safiyyah Lee begins her senior year in style with 13 points and six boards.

Four Penmen achieved double-digits in the scoring column, topped by Molly Terry (Shrewsbury, Mass.) and her 13 points. The senior sent in four three-pointers (11 attempts) in the outing.

Georgian Court (1-0) will next take on Assumption College Sunday at 2:00 p.m. on the final day of the Tip-Off. The Greyhounds (1-0) took care of Concordia College (N.Y.), 81-41, in Saturday's nightcap. The Clippers (0-1) and SNHU will open Sunday's action at noon.