LAKEWOOD, N.J. (Nov. 20, 2022) - Georgian Court Women's Basketball had five score in double-figures as they put up a season-best 82 points in their 82-72 win Sunday afternoon over the University of the District of Columbia. The win is the Lions second straight as they improve to 2-2 on the season.

How it Happened
• Georgian Court had the better day shooting the ball, going 30-68 good for 44% and were 7-21 from three along with making 15-of-18 at the free throw line. UDC hit just 34.3% of their FGA, 6-19 from downtown and 20-33 at the line.
• The Lions used their size advantage to pull down 49 rebounds including 19 on the offensive glass. They scored 40 points in the paint and 20 on second-chance points. 
• Despite losing the handle 21 times and committing 23 fouls, the Lions were helped out by UDC shooting just 60.6% at the line.
• It was a fast-paced game with each team getting 20+ fast break points.
• The game was tied up four times and there were five lead changes, most in the first-half. 
• For the second straight game, the Lions started out slowly. The Firebirds scored the first six points in the game. GCU didn't get on the board until a Tian Addison basket with 6:23 left in the first. 
• That basket started a 15-0 Lion run. Erika Aspajo and Precious Adediran went back-to-back on three-pointers and Imani Gillette made three free throws during the stretch.
• Trailing 19-9 with 2:17 left in the quarter, the Firebirds scored nine straight to close the period and got down to within one, 19-18 after 10 minutes.
• UDC also scored the first four in the second quarter as they scored 13 straight between the two periods. Savawn Hughes tied the game at 22 with a three, but UDC went on a 6-2 run going back up four, 28-24, midway through the frame. The teams traded baskets the rest of the half. GCU was down six in the final minute, but buckets by Aspajo and Leah Snisky brought the lead down to two, 41-39, at the half.
• Early in the third, Addison tied the game at 43 for the Lions with another three-pointer, but it was a slow start for both teams to the half. The Firebirds actually pushed their lead to six, 55-49, with 2:40 left in the third. But here came the Lions once again. They outscored the Firebirds 13-0 in the final 2:40 of the third and came roaring back to lead by seven, 62-55. Aspajo sank two three-pointers and Andjela Kremenovich hit a pair of field goals during the stretch, including gathering an offensive rebound and a putback at the buzzer to close the quarter.
• At the free throw line is where Georgian Court put the game away. Gillette got the Lions their largest lead, 66-56, sinking two freebies early in the fourth. The Firebirds closed the gap to four at the 6:21 mark before Gillette brought it back to nine getting three the hard way and the lead was never in question again as GCU pushed it back to double-figures before the score settled at an 82-72 final. 

It Was Over When...
• Gillette pulled down an offensive rebound, went back up got the layup and the foul. She made the bonus and GCU led 69-62 with 6:21 left. The Lions lead was never below seven the rest of the way as they comfortably went on to win 82-72.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Erika Aspajo led GCU with 19 points going 6-11 overall and 3-5 from three. She also grabbed five rebounds and passed out three assists.
• Tian Addison was 7-14 for 17 points with seven rebounds.
• Imani Gillette had another double-double with 15 points and 17 rebounds. She also blocked two shots.
• Savawn Hughes added 10 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. 
• Andjela Kremenovich came off the bench to score 10 going 5-8 overall.

For the Firebirds
• Latavia Jackson scored a game-high 33 going 13-24 overall and 2-3 from downtown. She also grabbed 10 boards. 
• Destiny Ryles scored 14, eight coming at the free throw line along with six rebounds. 
• Kensley Benjamin scored eight and Shanell Haskins chipped in seven. 

News and Notes
• The 82 points are the most for GCU this season and their most since scoring 87 against then-Nyack Feb. 17.
• Imani Gillette's 17 rebounds are the most by a Lion since Anyssa Fields grabbed 17 against Felician Feb. 4, 2021.
• Gillette has three double-doubles in four games this season.
• GCU's 19 offensive rebounds are their most in a game this season, as are their 18 assists. 
• A'nya Harper returned to play her first game of the season for the Lions. 

Up Next
• The Lions will head into their holiday on a two-game winning streak. They take the court again next Sunday, Nov. 27 against East Stroudsburg in PA.