Lakewood, N.J. - Trailing by 10 points in the second half, Georgian Court University rallied to force its first overtime appearance since the 2019-20 season as the host-Lions eventually succumbed to Chestnut Hill College, 79-78, in a wild back-and-forth Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) men's basketball divisional battle.

After coasting to a 42-32 lead heading into intermission, and maintaining its 10-point surplus until the 14:03 mark (53-43) of the second stanza, the Griffins' grip let loose as Georgian Court exploded for a furious 12-2 run to knot the score at 55-all with 9:57 remaining in regulation. Following a pair of subsequent stalemates, the Lions finally grabbed its first lead of the half when Clint Wright Jr.'s three-pointer put the royal-and-blue ahead by one (64-63) with 5:47 left.

GCU's Shane Williams drained a clutch three-pointer of his own to snap a 64-64 tie with 3:39 to go. Chestnut Hill countered with a 6-3 spurt to swipe a 70-67 advantage with 0:29 on the clock, setting the stage for Wright's heroics as the sophomore sent in a game-saving three-ball with 13 ticks remaining, and sending the contest into extra time.

The Lions came out hot in OT as the home team hit for the first four points of the session to develop a 74-70 lead with 3:43 on the clock. The back-and-forth continued as the Griffins (7-6, 4-1 CACC) gathered the next five points to go ahead, 75-74, at the 2:03 mark. With Chestnut Hill holding a 77-75 lead with under a minute (0:57 left), Davon Floyd connected for a go-ahead three-pointer of his own to put the home team up by one with 29 seconds to go .

With GCU up by a score of 78-77, CHC's Trevonn Pitts (Wyncote, Pa.) saved the day for the visitors as the junior rolled in what would be the game-winning layup with just 10 ticks left.

After winning three-straight contests vs. the Griffins, Georgian Court (2-12, 1-5 CACC) has now dropped the last two meetings vs. Chestnut Hill.

MJ Iraldi (West Deptford, N.J.) topped the victors in scoring as the freshman netted 19 points in 34 minutes off the Griffins' bench. Nigel Haughton (So.-Bel Air, Md.) collected 17 points, eight boards, and five steals in 44 minutes. James Rider IV (Gr.-Baltimore, Md.) and Pitts each collected 11 points apiece.

Recording his second-consecutive effort with 20+ points, Wright ripped off a game-high 27 points, including six three-pointers, in 41 minutes of action for the Lions. Floyd countered with 19 points and and nine rebounds in 41 minutes while Titus Beard recorded a double-double performance of 16 points and 10 boards. The junior also dished five helpers in the marathon contest.

Georgian Court returns to action this Saturday with a 3:30 p.m. visit to Felician University in CACC interdivisional action.