LAKEWOOD, NJ (Jan. 14, 2025) - Georgian Court Women's Basketball hung tough with Holy Family before the Tigers pulled away in the fourth quarter to take the win, 67-47, Tuesday night. The Lions' attempt to take down the top team in the CACC South Division came up a little short in the end as they fall to 2-3 in conference play. 
 
How it Happened
• The shooting numbers were nearly even. Holy Family shot 36.9% and Georgian Court shot 34%.
• Neither team had a strong shooting night from three as the Tigers shot 5-of-21 and the Lions went 1-of-11.
• Holy Family shot just 50% from the foul line (14 of 28) while Georgian Court hit 66.7% of its free throws (10-of-15).
• The Tigers had a big edge on the glass, 49-34. That included the offensive glass, 21-7, and they used that to outscore the Lions 17-7 in second-chance points.
• Turnovers also played a factor. GCU lost the ball 21 times, while forcing 16 of their own. The Tigers though scored 15 points off of GCU turnovers and the Lions netted just four. 
First Quarter
• The Lions got out to a strong start hitting each of their first three shots for an early 6-2 lead.
• A layup and one from Karissa Smedley increased that lead to 13-6 with 3:22 to play in the period.
• Holy Family though finished strong, outscoring GCU 6-0 over the final 2:09.
Second Quarter
• The Tigers took their first lead on their first possession of the second quarter. An offensive rebound led to a Carolyn Prevost layup and put HFU on top, 14-13.
• A three-pointer made it a 17-13 lead and capped off an 11-0 run for the Tigers between the first and second quarters.
• Georgian Court struggled in the second. They were just 3-17 overall , 0-6 from three and Holy Family took advantage.
• The Tigers outscored the Lions 21-10 in the frame and with a free throw in the closing seconds, took a 33-23 lead into halftime.
Third Quarter
• As the top team in the division, Holy Family may have thought they could cruise in the second half.
• Georgian Court had other plans though.
• Baskets from Smedley, Niyell McCargo and Samantha Jones brought the lead down to five, 36-31, at the 7:06 mark of the half.
• At the 2:54 mark, the Holy Family coach earned herself a technical foul. That gave GCU two free throws and possession. Julia Whesper went 1-2 at the line, but got fouled on the ensuing possession and went 2-2, tying the game at 39-all.
• The Tigers seemed to perk up after the bench technical though. They outscored Georgian Court 9-1 over the final 2:04, going up 48-40 after three quarters.
Fourth Quarter
• Holy Family kept their foot on the gas scoring the first seven points in the fourth as their lead ballooned to 15, 55-40.
• Georgian Court was never able to get back to within single digits as Holy Family outscored the Lions 19-7 in the final frame on their way to a 67-47 win.
 
Lion Stat Leaders
• Niyell McCargo dropped a career-high 20 points and tied a season-high with eight rebounds. She was 9-18 from the floor. 
• Karissa Smedley added 10 points and equaled a season-high with six rebounds.
• Onnieya Martin secured eight rebounds, one off her career high.
• Samantha Jones had seven points, tied for her second-highest total this season.
 
For the Tigers
• Carolyn Prevost scored a season-high 15 points and added seven rebounds.
• Skyler Searfoss recorded a double-double, grabbing a career-high-tying 11 rebounds and scoring 10 points.
• Amy Ngo secured a career-high eight rebounds and totaled 10 points.
 
News and Notes
• With her career-high 20 points, Niyell McCargo surpassed 300 career points.
• McCargo's nine field goals made and 18 attempts are the most for a Lion this season.
• Tyra Lovelock surpassed 50 rebounds and Samantha Jones is now over 50 steals.
• Julia Whesper went past 1,000 career minutes and 100 rebounds.
• Big foul discrepancy in this one as GCU was called for 30 and HFU whistled for just 13. 
 
Up Next
• The Lions are back at home for another CACC clash against Post on Saturday, Jan. 18 at noon.