LAKEWOOD, NJ. (Feb. 5, 2025) - Georgian Court Women's Basketball used the second half to pull away from Wilmington, defeating the Wildcats 78-52 Wednesday night. The win puts the Lions at 5-6 in the CACC this season and is their second win in a row. 
 
How it Happened
• Georgian Court shot 37.3% from the floor and drained seven 3-pointers. They were also 15-for-22 (68.2%) from the free-throw line.
• Wilmington posted similar shooting numbers, going 36.2% from the floor and also sinking seven threes. The Wildcats, however, were only 3-for-8 from the free-throw line.
• The Lions took advantage of a 47-42 rebounding edge and a 21-12 advantage on the offensive glass. As a result, GCU took 17 more shots and had a 34-20 advantage in the paint.
• Georgian Court also held a significant advantage in the turnover department, only turning the ball over 10 times and forcing 26, including 17 steals.  
1st Quarter
• After Wilmington jumped out to a 3-0 lead, Georgian Court countered with a 9-2 run.
• Wilmington battled back to tie the game at 13 before Tyra Lovelock drained a three to put the Lions back ahead.
• Both teams traded baskets to end the quarter with Georgian Court ahead, 19-17, after 10 minutes.
2nd Quarter
• Wilmington tied the game at 22 on a triple before Niyell McCargo's layup put the Lions back in front.
• After the Wildcats took a 27-26 lead on another triple, the Lions countered with a 7-0 run, with five points coming from Maria Stanescu.
• Georgian Court closed the half strong, scoring six of the final nine points to take a 41-33 lead into the break.
• It was a tight first half, featuring three ties and three lead changes with neither team leading by more than eight.
3rd Quarter
• Georgian Court picked up where they left off in the second quarter, starting the second half on an 8-2 run which included threes from Julia Whesper and Tyra Lovelock.
• The Lions continued their dominance, going on an 11-4 run highlighted by Maria Stanescu's layup-and-one.
• Alexi Hoy's triple capped off a dominant quarter in which they outscored Wilmington 21-10 and took a 62-43 lead heading into the final quarter.
4th Quarter
• Georgian Court began the quarter on a 7-2 run, punctuated by a Tyra Lovelock three-pointer.
• The Lions followed-up with another 7-2 run and extended their lead to a game-high 27 points, pulling ahead 76-49. Five of those points came at the free-throw line.
• GCU was able to cruise to the finish line, 78-52.
 
Lion Stat Leaders
• It was a balanced scoring effort for Georgian Court.
• Imani Gillette led the Lions with 14 points and eight rebounds.
• With her family from Australia in attendance, Tyra Lovelock tallied 12 points, five boards and tied for the team lead with four assists.
• Niyell McCargo scored 11 points and hauled in four rebounds.
• Maria Stanescu added 11 points and two steals.
• Julia Whesper contributed nine points, four assists and tied for the team lead with three steals.
 
For the Wildcats
• Aniyah Bond led Wilmington with a double-double, notching 13 points and 11 rebounds.
• TyKeisha Hill added 11 points and eight rebounds.
• Armani Bell-Jackson tallied 10 points and drained two triples.
 
News and Notes
• Niyell McCargo snared her 200th career rebound.
• Tyra Lovelock surpassed 50 assists on the season.
• Georgian Court's two highest point totals of the season have come against Wilmington as they scored 78 both tonight and back in December at Wilmington. 
• All 11 players that entered the game scored at least one point. 
• The Lions grabbed a season-high 47 rebounds.
• GCU also notched a season-high 17 steals.
• The Lions tied their season-low with just 10 turnovers.
• On the other side of the ball, Georgian Court forced 25 turnovers, its third highest total of the season.
• The Lions lead the all-time series, 34-29 and have won nine of the last 10 meetings.
• The win puts GCU ahead of Goldey-Beacom for the fourth and final CACC Tournament spot in the South Division.

Quotable
Tyra Lovelock
On having a big game while playing in front of her family
• It means the most. They came and surprised me for my birthday and it was the biggest shock. This is my third year in college and this is the first game they've watched in person. I really wanted to play for them tonight.

On feeling any pressure to perform
• I really wanted to perform for them, but I knew that I needed to stay focused on myself and the game.

On picking up a win tonight 
• This game was so important to us. We knew going into it there was only one option and that was to win.
 
Up Next
• Georgian Court is back on the road Saturday, February 8th as they take on CACC North Division foe Bloomfield at 1 p.m.