Box Score Lakewood, NJ – (12/17/2011) – The Lions of Georgian Court University (GCU) protected their lair this afternoon, out-rebounding the Griffins 45-39 and forcing 23 turnovers in a 73-67 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) win over Chestnut Hill College. The Lions received double-doubles from junior guard Ebony Sellers (Camden, NJ) and freshman forward Tahira Matthews (Bloomfield, NJ) to out-weigh the resilient play of the Griffin backcourt; juniors Marqesah Spicer (Philadelphia, PA) and Latoya Laing (Snellville, GA), and freshman Lila Jones (Lansdale, PA).
 
Matthews' early play pushed Georgian Court University (2-8, 1-3), and with the support of junior guard Shauneia McPhearson (Chicago, IL), the Lions controlled a 13-4 lead as the game approached the 14-minute mark (14:06) of the first half. A collective effort brought Chestnut Hill College (1-8, 1-3) back to life; the 12-2 run ended on a rebound and layup from senior forward Ashlen Stayrook (Pickerington, OH) and it provided the Griffins with a one-point advantage, 16-15, midway through the period (10:52). The pattern then repeated itself with the Lions growing a 26-17 lead behind Matthews before the Griffins rallied to a 31-30 advantage with 1:32 remaining in the opening half; they would control that same one-point lead at intermission, 33-32.
 
The second half remained close until the play of Sellers and senior guard Ryan McGrath (Manasquan, NJ) spirited GCU to a late 62-58 edge (5:23). Laing got hot in the final five minutes, hitting two from deep (2-of-3, 66.7%) and scoring eight points to keep the pressure on, but it not gain the Griffins any ground as the Lions captured a 73-67 victory. Matthews finished with 19 points, 16 rebounds, and three steals while Sellers' double-double totaled out at 11 points and ten assists to go along with her five steals. McPhearson and McGrath provided 11 points apiece while junior guard Evelyn Josbena (Syracuse, NY) served as a key contributor off the bench with ten points, six rebounds, and three steals. The Lions totaled 14 steals in all.
  
Spicer led three Griffins in double figures with 16 points, she also totaled six assists. Jones matched her season-high with 15 points while Laing ended the evening with 14 points in addition headlining the Griffin defensive effort with a block and two steals. Senior forward Ebony Washington (Philadelphia, PA) and freshman forward Adrianna Crenny (Blackwood, NJ) hustled to eight rebounds apiece to lead effort on the glass.
 
The women's basketball team returns home to take a break from CACC play with a 1:00 p.m. contest against Bloomsburg University on Monday, December 19.