NEW HAVEN, Conn. (Nov. 11, 2023) - Georgian Court Women's Basketball started their season in the same place as last season. They were in New Haven, Conn. to take on Southern Connecticut State. Georgian Court used a big second-quarter run to get to within one at the half, but SCSU outscored the Lions 43-20 in the second half for a 78-54 win.

How it Happened
• Southern Connecticut shot 50% from the floor and were 6-14 from downtown. Georgian Court was just 20-58, 35% and 7-23 from deep.
• The Lions outrebounded SCSU 34-29, including a 14-7 edge on the offensive glass. However Southern Connecticut scored 11 second-chance points to Georgian Court's 10.
• Turnovers were a problem for the Lions who committed 21 of them as well as 24 personal fouls. SCSU turned the ball over just 12 times and committed 13 fouls.
1st Quarter 
• Southern Connecticut scored the first five points in the game.
• GCU rebounded quickly though and took a lead of their own.
• An Erika Aspajo layup midway through the first quarter put the Lions up five, 16-11.
• Over the final 62 seconds, Southern Connecticut outscored GCU 7-0 and led 24-18 after 10 minutes. SCSU was 4-7 from three in the quarter.
2nd Quarter
• The Owls continued to pour it on, holding the Lions scoreless for the first 3:21 of the quarter.
• During that time SCSU upped their lead to 14, 32-18.
• Georgian Court took over from their though. Over the final 6:54 of the half, the Lions outscored the Owls 16-3.
• Imani Gillette made a pair of layups and at the break, the Lions trailed by just one, 35-34.
• Gillette had seven points during the scoring run as GCU was 6-9 from the floor and forced four SCSU turnovers. 
Third Quarter
• Out of the gates, the Owls extended their lead with a basket on their first possession.
• A 7-0 Owl run brought the lead back up to eight, 44-36 as GCU was held scoreless for 4:44.
• The Lions brought it back to within five, but no closer as SCSU went back up double-figures and led by eight with one quarter remaining.
Fourth Quarter
• The Lions couldn't get anything going at the start of the fourth. The Owls opened the frame on a 9-2 run, pushing their lead to 15, 63-48.
• Julia Whesper hit a three late, but it was too-little, too-late and the Owls sent the Lions to an 0-1 start on the season. 

Lion Stat Leaders
• Safiatu Kolliegbo led the Lions scoring 14 points going 6-13 from the floor with seven rebounds and two steals.
• Julia Whesper was sharp from three going 3-5 from distance for nine points.
• Imani Gillette did damage at the foul line where she was 5-8 and finished with nine points and eight boards.
• Paula Perez-Fabregas and Marta Guilera each scored six points off the bench.

For the Owls
• Katie Williamson led the Owls with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
• Makenzie Helms had a double-double with 11 points and 10 assists.
• Ashley Evans scored eight points and blocked four shots.
• Hope Fox was 2-4 from three and scored 12 with five rebounds, two assists and three steals.

News and Notes
• Georgian Court and Southern Connecticut started the 2022-23 season as well. SCSU was a winner in that one 70-55.
• GCU is now 1-4 all-time against the Owls.
• Georgian Court played 13 in the game, eight of whom had never suited up for the Lions before.

Up Next
• Georgian Court stays on the road in New Haven for game two of their weekend at the James Moore Fieldhouse. They'll take on St. Anselm tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 p.m.