LAKEWOOD, NJ (Nov. 16, 2024) - Georgian Court Women's Basketball played on their home court for the first time in the 2024-25 season. The Lions had a strong second half, but couldn't overcome a 36-10 halftime deficit in a 78-44 loss to Bloomsburg. The loss puts the Lions at 0-3 to start the year. 

How it Happened
• Bloomsburg shot 51% for the game and hit 5-15 from three while GCU finished below 30% and made just one three-pointer.
• The Huskies got to the line 27 times where they made 23 while Georgian Court shot just 61%, 11-18 at the stripe.
• Turnovers were a problem for both teams. The Lions lost the ball 26 times and Huskies 25. 
• Bloomsburg also proved to have a height problem blocking five shots and scoring 32 points in the paint.
• The Huskies held the rebounding advantage as well, 41-32, but the Lions grabbed 15 offensive boards.
1st Quarter
• Bloomsburg scored nine of the first 10 points and took off from there. 
• They took advantage of some Lion turnovers and at the 3:45 mark led 18-3.
• Karissa Smedley scored a pair of buckets to get GCU a bit closer, 20-7 after 10 minutes.
2nd Quarter
• Georgian Court didn't score for nearly the first eight minutes in the second quarter as Bloomsburg built their lead to 30-7.
• Niyell McCargo ended the drought with a jumper and hit a free throw later in the quarter, but at the half, GCU found themselves trailing 36-10.
3rd Quarter
• The Lions offense picked up in the second half, led by Alexi Hoy who scored the first eight points for the Lions.
• Bloomsburg though was able to keep pace and not allow GCU to crack into the Husky lead at all.
• Georgian Court was 8-17 in the quarter and scored 17 points.
Fourth Quarter
• The Lions had another 17-point effort in the fourth quarter.
• They weren't as efficient from the field but got to the free throw line and sank 8-13.
• Tyra Lovelock hit the Lions only three-pointer in the game in the fourth, but Georgian Court was never able to overcome that slow start in a 78-44 loss.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Niyell McCargo finished with a team-high 15 points with eight rebounds and two assists.
• Karissa Smedley was also in double-figures going 4-8 from the floor with five boards.
• Alexi Hoy chipped in nine points.
• Tyra Lovelock dished out six assists with four points scored.

For the Huskies
• Katelin Starr needed just 24 minutes to pick up an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double. She finished 7-10 and blocked three shots.
• Leah Kale added 14 points and was 2-5 from deep.
• Kelly Leszcynski came off the bench to add seven points. 

News and Notes
• Georgian Court is now just 1-7 all-time against Bloomsburg.
• The Lions 11 made free throws and 18 attempts are season-highs.
• GCU's nine steals are also a season-best mark.

Up Next
• Georgian Court has some time off as they don't play again for 10 days before heading to Florida for three games in five days against Tampa, Palm Beach Atlantic and Nova Southeastern.