WILMINGTON, Del. (Feb. 14, 2024) - Georgian Court Men's Basketball was looking to play spoiler against the top seed in the CACC South Division, Goldey-Beacom. The Lions held a lead at the half, but were unable to hang on as the Lightning came back for a 73-61 win. 

How it Happened
• Georgian Court shot 43% overall and were nearly even with the Lightning who shot 44.6% overall.
• In the second half though, the Lions shot just 32% while the Lightning hit 54.5%.
• The Lions were deadly from three in the first half, hitting 7-of-9. They were just 2-6 in the second, and finished shooting 60% for the night.
• Goldey-Beacom nearly doubled up the Lions at the free throw line making 15-of-21. Georgian Court took just 13 free throws, making eight.
• The Lightning totaled 36 rebounds to the Lions 31. 
• GBC also did a good job holding onto the ball with just eight turnovers. The Lions lost it 14 times leading to 18 GBC points.
First Half
• Goldey-Beacom scored the first five points in the game before the Lions came back and tied at five.
• Georgian Court went on a 13-2 run, forcing a GBC timeout with a 13-7 lead. In the middle of the run, the Lions scored eight straight.
• The Lightning responded with a 12-5 run of their own and took a brief 19-18 lead.
• Clint Wright, Jr. and Donavin Crawford hit back-to-back three-pointers though to put the Lions back on top.
• Tied at 31, Jahsan Johnson buried a three and the Lions finished the half on a 7-2 run.
• Clint Wright, Jr. beat the buzzer with a triple and at the half, the Lions were up five, 38-33.
Second Half
• Georgian Court was able to extend their five-point lead to 10 less than a minute into the second. Crawford hit another three and Amari Jones cashed in a layup for a 43-33 lead.
• With the Lions still holding a 10-point lead, the Lightning went on a 10-2 run over 3:52 to get back into the game.
• Goldey-Beacom brought the Lions lead down to one, 50-49 and took their first lead since the first half, 51-50 with a pair of Damani Thomas free throws midway through the half.
• The Lightning continued to cling to a slim lead with Crawford hitting a jumper to keep the Lions within one, 57-56 with 5:14 to play.
• From there though, GBC put the game away with a 14-1 where they went 3-3 from the field and 7-8 at the foul line. They were helped out by four Geogian Court turnovers. 
• Now trailing by 14, 71-57 with 1:54 to play, the Lions were unable to make it close again the Lightning escaped with a 73-61 win.

Lions Stat Leaders
• Donavin Crawford led all scorers with 24 points. He was 9-12 overall and 3-5 from three.
• Clint Wright, Jr. did not miss from behind the arc making all five of his attempts. He finished with 21 points.
• Amari Jones added nine points.

For the Lightning
• Caleb Bates scored a team-high 21 going 3-7 from deep with 10 rebounds.
• Nazim Derry added 15 with seven rebounds and five assists.
• Damani Thomas finished with 12 points and six assists.

News and Notes
• Donavin Crawford's 24 points are a new career high.
• All-time, the Lions fall to 1-19 against the Lightning and went 0-2 this season.
• The Lions 60% shooting behind the arc was their best of the season and just short of the single-season record of 60.9% done in 2019.
• Clint Wright, Jr. had the best three-point shooting night of his GCU career making 5-5 from deep.
• Wright, Jr. enjoys playing the Lightning. He is now 20-35 from three in his career against Goldey-Beacom. 

Up Next
• Georgian is back at home Saturday, Feb. 17 as they host Felician. Tip off time is set for 2 p.m.