LAKEWOOD, N.J. – The Caldwell College women's basketball team used a strong, balanced attack to build a comfortable lead, then posted a late rally, to get by Georgian Court University, 79-73, in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference game Saturday afternoon at the Casino. With the win, Caldwell moved to 8-14 overall and 7-10 in the CACC, while the Lions fell to 4-18, 3-15, respectively.

Caldwell wasted little time, scoring the first five points of the game as the Cougars maintained the lead throughout the first half. A lay-up by freshman guard Corrie McIntyre (Highland Park, NJ/Highland Park Regional), pictured, gave Caldwell its biggest first-half lead, 35-27 2:28 before the break.  

But GCU wouldn't go quietly.  After a jumper by freshman guard Melissa Shubiak (Manville, NJ/Immaculata) gave Caldwell its biggest lead at 59-48 with 11:40 remaining in the game, the Lions used a 17-5 run to get back into the game.  A three-point basket by Melissa Elsbree knocked the lead down to three, 63-60 with just under eight minutes to play, and just two minutes later GCU grabbed their first lead of the game, when Laura Bochicchio banked in a lay-up to give the Lions a 65-64 lead with 5:58 to go.

The lead changed hands twice until eventually the game was tied at 72-72 with 2:43 to play. On Caldwell's next possession, McIntyre grabbed her own rebound off a missed shot, hit a leaning jumper and was fouled with just over two minutes left in the game. She converted the three-point play to give the Cougars a 75-72 advantage. Caldwell's defense took over from there allowing just one free throw the rest of the way as the Cougars ended a two-game losing streak.

McIntyre was one of four Cougars to score in double-figures, tallying 15 points to go with four rebounds and three steals. Freshman forward Dana Leary (Bridgewater, NJ/Immaculata) recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore guards Shannon Coyle (Matawan, NJ/St. John Vianney) and Amy Ransom (Chattanooga, TN/Notre Dame) finished with 11 points apiece, while Coyle swiped a game-high four steals. For the Lions, CACC leading scorer Lauren Meyer posted a game-high 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Elsbree pitched in with 17 points, including five three-pointers.

The Cougars return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 15, when they travel to Newark, N.J., to face N.J.I.T. in a CACC contest at 6:00 p.m.