The Georgia Gwinnett College women's basketball team started building its legacy with a resounding 73-49 victory over Brenau University (Georgia) on Thursday evening in the program's first contest, held in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the Convocation Center.

The Grizzlies (1-0) broke through in the first quarter when freshman Christen Collins scored the first points in GGC basketball history, making a right-wing jump shot in the opening 28 seconds of the game. She ended with 16 points and knocked down two 3-point field goals.

Sophomore Jamya Griffin made a layup with 3:36 left during a 16-2 offensive run that ended the opening quarter. The strong finish gave the hosts a 26-15 lead.

Griffin had a game-high 21 points and grabbed four rebounds to go along with five assists.

"Jayma is a big-time player. She is great in the open court, defends really hard and is coachable," said Head Coach Tory Wooley.

Junior Maddie Presha opened the second quarter with a layup that increased GGC's lead to 28-15. Presha scored four points and provided two assists.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies' defense was stifling, holding Brenau (0-1) to 28.1 percent shooting from the floor and forcing 28 turnovers.

"Once we started communicated on the court together, it helped our defense turn into offense," said Griffin of the team's first-quarter offensive outburst.

GGC may have enjoyed a 43-27 halftime lead, but the visiting Golden Tigers got out determined in the second half. They trimmed the lead to 12 points in the early moments of the third quarter. However, the Grizzlies responded and increased the lead to 17 points, at 51-34, following a free throw by Griffin at the 4:48 mark of the third quarter.

The hosts held Brenau to just seven points in the fourth quarter to seal the monumental victory.

Freshman Christen Collins scored 12 points, while junior Peyton Hearvey added 11 points as GGC placed four players in double figures.
 
Coach's Corner
"We have a young team, so the players were nervous early in the game. But they stayed together, and our defense turned into offense late in the first quarter. I'm ecstatic for the girls. It has been a long year of planning for this day. The crowd helped us and was the extra player that we needed," said Head Coach Tory Wooley.
 
Turning Point
A layup from sophomore Jamya Griffin at the 3:36 minute mark of the opening 10-minute period gave the Grizzlies the 15-13 lead. That was part of a 16-2 run to end the first quarter with a 26-15 lead.
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC made 45 percent of its shots, highlighted by making nine of its 15 shots during the fourth quarter
• The Grizzlies scored 31 points off 28 Brenau turnovers in the contest
• Sophomore Jamya Griffin scored a game-high 21 points
• Junior Maddie Presha grabbed four offensive rebounds

News & Notes

• GGC won its 2025-26 season opener; Brenau stands 0-1 after dropping its season opener
• Thursday's game marked the first basketball game in program history
• Eight players scored for the Grizzlies, including four players in double figures
• GGC outrebounded the Golden Tigers by a 46-38 margin

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host Toccoa Falls College (Georgia) during Grizzlyfest on Saturday, October 25, in the Convocation Center, starting at 5:30 p.m.