LAKEWOOD, NJ (Nov. 27, 2023) - Georgian Court Women's Basketball opened their home slate Monday night against Lock Haven. Following the Thanksgiving break, it wasn't the turkey that got the Lions, it was the Bald Eagles as Lock Haven took an early lead then sealed it with a big third quarter for a 66-50 win. Georgian Court is still searching for their first win of the season standing at 0-6.

How it Happened
• Neither team shot the ball well with both teams right around 36% overall. 
• The three-point ball wasn't falling either as Lock Haven was just 1-9 while GCU while 3-14.
• At the foul line, Lock Haven was 15-24 while the Lions made 11-of-19.
• Second chance points were pivotal for the Bald Eagles. They won the rebounding edge, 49-35 and 22-8 on the offensive end. They turned those offensive boards into 21 second-chance points.
• Georgian Court lost the ball 17 times which led to 13 points. The Lions scored 11 points off 10 Lock Haven giveaways.
First Quarter
• The teams went back-and-forth in the opening quarter with neither team gaining more than a four-point edge.
• Of the four total three-point field goals made in the game, three came in the first 10 minutes.
• Late in the quarter GCU trailed by three, 12-9, but the Lions scored three straight getting a free throw from Jada Jacobs to tie with two minutes to play in the period.
• Rhlyn Rouse scored four straight on her own for a 16-12 lead before Safiatu Kolliegbo hit a three to get to within one.
• The Lions turned the ball over as the shot clock expired allowing the Bald Eagles to hold for the final shot. Brooke Lawyer missed by Madeline Evans was there for the rebound and finished giving Lock Haven an 18-15 lead after 10 minutes.
Second Quarter
• Lock Haven carried that momentum into the second half. They opened the quarter on an 11-2 run grabbing their largest lead, 29-18.
• The Bald Eagles still led by 11 with 3:18 to play in the half. 
• Over the final 2:49 though, the Lions got back into it. Kolliegbo made a driving layup while getting fouled to start the run.
• After a Bald Eagle turnover, Marta Guilera made a layup cutting it to seven.
• Lock Haven went 1-2 at the line and Jessenia Edwards buried a three on the Lions final possession bringing the lead back down to five at the half, 33-28.
Third Quarter
• Starting the second half, GCU scored the first three points with a Guilera layup and Kolliegbo free throw to get to within two, 34-32 a minute in.
• But things quickly changed as Lock Haven took control of the game with a 19-3 run over a 7:23 span.
• The Bald Eagles were 7-9 overall while GCU was just 1-7 with four turnovers.
• Another layup in the final seconds gave Lock Haven a 19-point lead, 58-39 to end the third.
Fourth Quarter
• Georgian Court scored the first seven points of the fourth as Lock Haven started 0-6 from the floor in the period.
• That was as close as the Lions got though as the Bald Eagles scored eight straight of their own, taking a 20-point lead, 66-46, with 1:23 left.
• GCU got a couple of baskets in the final minute but it wasn't enough in the 66-50 Bald Eagle win.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Marta Guilera finished with a game-high scoring 14 points going 7-11 from the floor.
• Safiatu Kolliegbo added 11 points with four rebounds. She also drew six fouls.
• Jada Jacobs scored eight with seven boards. 
• Karissa Smedley and Jessenia Edwards each scored five.

For the Bald Eagles
• Jenadia Jordan and Madeline Evans each scored a team-high 10 points. Evans finished a rebound shy of a double-double.
• Alana Robinson chipped in nine points with six rebounds.
• Jackie Fetsko and Rhylan Rouse each added eight points.

News and Notes
• Georgian Court remains winless all-time against Lock Haven. They are now 0-5 and 0-3 in New Jersey.
• The 66 points the Lions allowed are the fewest in a game this season.
• GCU's 17 turnovers are also a season-low.
• Underneath the basket, Lock Haven shot just 41% while GCU was at 71%, but the second chance points, nearly 33% of their total helped extend the lead.

Up Next
• Georgian starts conference play this weekend. They'll be on the road at Holy Family Saturday, Dec. 2 at 3 p.m.