Nyack, N.Y.- Not the way it wanted to kick off the new year, Georgian Court University lost its grasp on a double-digit third quarter lead as Nyack College stormed back to stop the visiting Lions, 67-64, in Saturday's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference women's hoops action.

Owning a 21-16 lead after the initial quarter, and a six-point advantage (40-34) at the break, the Lions mounted a 10-point surplus early in the third frame (8:45) when a Savawn Hughes layup put the visitors ahead by a score of 44-34. 

After a Jada Atchison lay-in made it 46-36 GCU a little over a minute later (7:34), the Warriors proceeded to charge on an 11-2 run to cut the deficit to one (46-45) with 2:45 left in the third. Georgian Court held Nyack at bay for the remainder of the quarter, closing the session with a 52-47 lead.

Safiyyah Lee opened the fourth-and-final period with a layup (9:54) to increase the Lions' margin to 54-47 before Nyack (5-6, 3-1 CACC) unleashed a furious 11-2 spurt to take the lead with 5:28 to go in regulation (58-56). Not remotely finished, the Warriors continued to keep Georgian Court on the ropes as the home team outpaced the Lions the rest of the way, 11-9, to hold on to the clutch comeback conference triumph.

Jasmine Cruse (Jr. Houston, Texas) dazzled for the victors with a double-double performance consisting of 21 points and 11 boards. Jocelin Wright (Gr.-Ithaca, N.Y.) and Kyla Given (Sr.-Newburgh, N.Y.) followed with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Hughes topped the Lions' offense with 18 points (8 for 15 FG), marking a new career-high for the Georgian Court freshman. Jada Atchison poured in 13 points and dished five helpers in the effort while Ivona Krakic authored a double-double of 15 rebounds and 10 points.

GCU (3-8, 1-3 CACC) remains on the road as the Lions now travel to Wilmington University this Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m.