Tenth-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan University scored 17 of the first 19 points in the second half to rally past the Georgia Gwinnett College men's basketball team 84-63 Friday night to open play in the Tulsa Challenge in Skiatook, Oklahoma.

The Grizzlies (3-1) scored eight straight points over the final 1:48 of the first half to take a 36-31 halftime lead. The team used a quick 7-0 run during the midway point of the opening 20 minutes to respond from an early 19-10 deficit.

Oklahoma Wesleyan (1-0) made 61.1 percent of its shots during the second half, outscoring the Grizzlies by a 53-27 margin. Tamaje Izugbe led the Eagles with 29 points, while Nick Bene had a double-double performance with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

A layup by junior Devontre Chaney gave the Grizzlies a 33-31 lead with 11 seconds left in the first half. Then, junior Jahiem Berry converted a turnover on the ensuing inbounds play to drain a 3-point field goal at the buzzer before halftime. Berry scored 12 of his 13 points in the first half.

After Oklahoma Wesleyan's blazing start to the second half, senior Deonte' Martinez connected on a jump shot to trim the deficit to three points, at 53-50, at the 10:42 mark.

However, that's when the Eagles used a 15-2 run over the next three minutes to build a 68-52 advantage following a layup by Yashi McKenzie.

Chaney led the Grizzlies with a career-high 24 points.
 
Coach's Corner
"We didn't match their energy and intensity to start the second half. We must take care of the ball better. They (Oklahoma Wesleyan) like to play in the full court and our turnovers early in the second half allowed for their depth and pressure to take over the game. We did a good job bouncing back in the first half," said Head Coach Chase Teichmann.
 
Turning Point
Oklahoma Wesleyan, ranked No. 10 in the NAIA Top 25 preseason poll, had a pair of offensive runs in the second half to overcome GGC's five-point halftime lead. The Eagles scored 17 of the first 19 points in the second half and then used a 15-2 run over a three-minute span past the midway point of the period to put the game out of reach.
 
Inside The Numbers

• Oklahoma Wesleyan shot 49.3 percent from the floor, compared to 44.9 percent for the Grizzlies
• The Eagles held a slight 32-30 rebounding edge
• Junior Devontre Chaney scored a career-high 24 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field
• The Grizzlies connected on eight 3-point field goals in Friday's contest

News & Notes

• GGC drops to 3-1 this winter; Oklahoma Wesleyan opened the 2025-26 season on Friday
• The Grizzlies received votes in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll; Oklahoma Wesleyan stood No. 10 in the same poll
• GGC has held the halftime lead in all four of its games this season
• The team is competing in the first of five tournaments during the 2025-26 regular season

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled conclude the Tulsa Challenge with a game against the University of Saint Mary (Kansas) on Saturday, November 1, in Skiatook, Oklahoma, starting at 6:30 p.m.