Lakewood, N.J. - Georgian Court University saw its program-best four-game winning streak come to a close Thursday evening as the Lions dropped a thrilling 74-71 decision to visiting Jefferson in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference divisional men's basketball action.

After trailing by seven (24-17) with 12:25 to go in the first half, the Lions proceeded to outscore the Rams 23-16 the remainder of the frame as both squads headed into the break tied at 40-all. GCU carried its momentum into the second stanza, taking a 57-51 lead with 12:26 remaining in regulation. Jefferson, thanks to a timely 7-0 spurt, regained the advantage (58-57) with 9:04 left on the clock.

Two more lead changes and a pair of stalemates would follow before a Deondre Bourne (So.-Brooklyn, N.Y.) layup with 3:12 to go pushed the Rams in front for good at 65-63. The Jefferson surplus would never climb higher than four points the rest of the way as the road team held on for its eighth win (8-2, 2-0 CACC) of the season.

A trio of Rams netted double-digits in the scoring column, led by DeVaughn Mallory (Sr.-Smyrna, Del.) and his game-high 26 points. Kylan Guerra (Sr.-White Plains, N.Y.) followed with 21 of his own in the victory.

Alonzo Ortiz-Traylor poured in 20 in the losing effort for the Lions, while also snagging eight rebounds. Caleb Bowser returned to the Georgian Court lineup to net 12 points while Justin Figueroa dropped in 10 off the GCU bench.

Georgian Court (4-5, 2-1 CACC) heads out of conference Saturday with a 3:30 p.m. tip off scheduled at Assumption College.