LAKEWOOD, NJ (Jan. 4, 2024) - Georgian Court Men's Basketball picked up a win Thursday afternoon helped out by a pair of career days. Cameron Edmonds and Anthony Rivera each scored season-highs in the 82-74 win over the University of the District of Columbia. 

How it Happened
• Georgian Court shot the ball well making 44% of their field goals. UDC managed to connect at just a 35% clip for the game.
• At the foul line is where the Lions really made their money. They were 24-29 while the Firebirds hit just 20-30.
• Rebounding numbers were even at 42-apiece. The Firebirds collected nearly twice as many offensive boards as GCU, 13-7.
• Both teams had problems with turnovers. The Lions lost the ball 23 times and UDC 20 and each team scored 17 points from those turnovers.
• The game featured 16 blocked shots. UDC got a hand on 11 and the Lions redirected six.
First Half
• The Lions scored the first five points in the game getting a three-ball from a Justin Harper and an offensive rebound and put-back from Charles Anyichie. 
• GCU pushed the lead to seven, 10-3, but then went cold. UDC scored nine straight as the Lions were scoreless for 4:22.
• UDC's lead lasted just 28 seconds as Amari Jones hit a three from the top of the key to give the Lions the lead back, 13-12, and they never lost it.
• A Firebird offensive rebound and layup kept it a one-possession game at 18-15, midway through the half. That's when the Lions extended their lead scoring eight straight, the final four coming from Justin Harper.
• The teams traded points and on the Lions final possession of the half, their lead was still 11. With 0.3 seconds left, Cameron Edmonds was fouled taking a three and sent to the line where he made all three giving the Lions a 39-25 lead at the half.
Second Half
• The Lions lead never dipped below eight points, but it felt much closer than that. GCU started the half cold and didn't score until Edmonds made two at the free throw line nearly five minutes in.
• GCU's defense held up though as the Firebirds didn't do much damage, scoring just four themselves during that stretch.
• Those free throws started a 9-0 run for the Lions, capped off by Anthony Rivera hitting a three for a 48-29 lead.
• Turnovers were still a bugaboo for the Lions though who committed 12 in the half allowing UDC to hang around.
• The Firebirds slowly chipped away at the lead and finally brought it below 10 on a Rashad Faust three-point play with 2:20 left.
• After a UDC three cut the lead to eight, GCU turned the ball over on the inbounds, but the Firebirds couldn't capitalize.
• Rivera made a layup to bring the lead back to double-figures and that was enough to hang on for an 82-74 win.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Cameron Edmonds scored a game-high 27 on 6-12 shooting while also making 15-17 at the foul line. He also came away with five steals.
• Anthony Rivera came away with an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double with four assists.
• Justin Harper was 6-10 from the floor for 13 points to go along with seven rebounds.
• Amari Jones chipped in nine points.
• Charles Anyichie scored six with six rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots.

For the Firebirds
• Eric Morgan, Jr. led UDC with 17 points making four three-pointers.
• Tevin Curtis added 13 with seven assists.
• Hartnel Haye scored 12 points to go along with six rebounds, four assists and five blocked shots.
• Vernon Simmons was a rebound shy of a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds.

News and Notes
• Cameron Edmonds scored a career-high 27 points.
• Edmonds also set a new GCU record making 15 free throws. Jelani Jackson had the previous record of 13 done in November, 2021.
• In each of his first two seasons, Edmonds' season-high in point came on January 4. Last year on January 4, Edmonds scored 20 against New Haven.
• Anthony Rivera recorded his first career double-double.
• This is the Lions first ever win over UDC in their third ever matchup.
• The 82 points are the most GCU has scored this season. 

Up Next
• Georgian Court finishes up their five-game homestand Saturday, Jan. 6 when they host Queens (NY). Tip-off is set for 12 p.m.