LAKEWOOD, NJ (Nov. 8, 2024) - Georgian Court Women's Basketball kicks off the 2024-25 season with back-to-back games this weekend. 

Opponents (2023-24 Record)
Southern Connecticut Owls (19-13, 13-9 NE10)
Saint Anselm Hawks (10-19, 7-15 NE10)

Where
New Haven, CT - James Moore Field House

When
Saturday - Nov. 9 - 1:30 pm at Southern Connecticut
Sunday, Nov. 10 - 1:30 pm vs. Saint Anselm

How to Watch
• Both games can be see on Northeast-10's FloSports portal. They are pay-to-view broadcasts, however FloCollege is offering a free preview for games Saturday, Nov. 9 which includes Georgian Court against Southern Connecticut. Live stats are also available on the Lions schedule page. 

Previously vs. Southern Connecticut
• These two teams are familiar foes this time of year. This will be the fourth straight season they've met in early November.
• All-time, the Lions are 1-4 against Southern Connecticut. They got a win in the 2021-22 season, but have dropped the last two.
• Last season, the Lions trailed by just one at the half, but were outscored 43-20 in the second half.
• Safiatu Kolliegbo scored 14 points with seven rebounds and Imani GIllette and Julia Whesper added nine points each.
• SCSU shot 50% from the floor while the Lions hit just 34.5%.
• In all four losses to the Owls, Georgian Court has failed to reach 60 points. 

Previously vs. Saint Anselm
• Last season the Lions and Hawks met for the first time in a decade. 
• Georgian Court has dropped each of their two matches with the Hawks.
• Playing in New Haven last year, Georgian Court held an early 18-13 lead after the first quarter, but couldn't hang on in a 73-60 loss.
• Four Lions were in double-figures led by Safiatu Kolliegbo's 19. 

Individual Milestones
• Samantha Jones needs two field goals for 50 made.
• Jessenia Edwards is eight points away from 50.
• Niyell McCargo is 25 points away from 200 and seven assists short of 50.
• Julia Whesper needs seven field goals made and four assists to reach 50.
• Eight more free throws made will get Imani Gillette to 100.
• Karissa Smedley needs just one point to reach 100. 

Preseason Rankings
• Coming into the season the Lions were picked to finish fifth in the CACC South Division, which is where they ended last year. 
• Jefferson and Post were picked to top each division in the 2024-25 preseason coaches poll. 

2024-25 Outlook
• Of the 16 on the roster, only six stepped onto the court for the Lions in 2023-24 and only one played with GCU in 2022-23.
• This is a young team featuring four freshmen and five sophomores with five more junior transfers.
• Imani Gillette is the veteran on this team, having played two years in the Blue and Gold. She nearly averaged a double-double last year with 13.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
• Also back are Niyell McCargo, Julia Whesper and Karissa Smedley who all started 10+ games last year along with Samantha Jones and Jessenia Edwards who saw plenty of action as well.
• GCU coaches worked the transfer pool hard bringing in five junior college transfers - Jade Dickson, Tyra Lovelock, Marija Markovic, Alexi Hoy and Darija Erakovic.
• The team also features freshmen Onnieya Martin, Destiny Wallace, Skylar Soltis and Maria Stanescu. 

The Schedule
• Georgian Court will log plenty of travel miles in the first two months of the season. They're home just three times in 13 games before the end of the 2024 calendar year.
• After their opening weekend trip to Connecticut, the Lions play their home opener Saturday, Nov. 16 against Bloomsburg.
• They'll then embark on a trip to Florida playing three games in five days against Tampa, Palm Beach Atlantic and Nova Southeastern.
• CACC play starts on the road Decemeber 3 at Wilmington and their first conference game in Lakewood is later that week, Dec. 7 against Chestnut Hill.
• Other nonconference games include at Lock Haven, Millersville, Assumption, and Division I Stony Brook and home against New Haven and Queens.
• The CACC remains tough with home-and-home matches with South Division opponents and single games against the CACC North Division. 

About Southern Connecticut
• Following their season opening win last year against the Lions, SCSU finished 19-13 and 13-9 in the NE10.
• Despite playing in the NE10 Tournament opening round, they advanced all the way to the finals where they fell to Tournament Champions Bentley.
• Prior to the start of the season, the Owls were picked to finish fourth in the Northeast-10 Preseason Coaches Poll. 
• The Owls are bringing back a host of players from last year's team. That includes All-NE10 graduate student Katie Williamson who was the team's leading rebounder.
• Sharp shooter Delaney Haines who shot 42.3% from deep also returns along with Jillian Martin whose 114 assists and 42 steals were team highs.
• Last season, the Owls shot 39% overall and 33% from three while making 77% at the free throw line.
• They were outrebounded, but committed one fewer turnover per game than opponents.
• Defense was a calling card for the Lions who were 15th in the country in both field goal percentage defense and scoring defense, allowing just 55 points per game. 

About Saint Anselm
• Saint Anselm failed to make it out of the first round of the Northeast-10 Tournament and finished the year 10-19 overall, 7-15 in the league.
• They were picked to finish in the middle of the pack in the Northeast-10 preseason poll at No. 7.
• Three of the top-four Hawks scorers from last year return including leading scorer Tatum Forbes who averaged nearly 15 points per game.
• Melanie Hoyt who shot 48% overall is also back for Saint Anselm.
• Saint Anselm was among the NE10 leaders in FG% and three-point percentage last season.
• They also were fourth in the conference in fewest turnovers per game.