Visiting Thomas University (Georgia) made 72.7 percent of its field goals in the third quarter to pull away for a 65-56 victory over the Georgia Gwinnett College women's basketball team in Wednesday evening's Black Out game in the Convocation Center.

Thomas (4-4) took a 15-14 lead following a 3-pointer from Elicia Smith with less than three minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Night Hawks had increased their advantage to eight points, at 22-14, by the conclusion of the opening quarter after a layup from Destiny Hill.

GGC (6-3) increased its defensive intensity in the second quarter, limiting Thomas to 2-of-15 shooting (13.3 percent) and just six points during the 10-minute period.

A 3-point field goal from freshman Christal Collins brought the hosts within four points, at 22-18, by the 8:28 mark of the second quarter. Freshman Christen Collins continued to chip away at the deficit by hitting a jump shot one minute later.

Junior Nylaa Fuller continued the Grizzlies' strong play in the second quarter to bring the team within a point, at 28-27, with 42 seconds left before halftime.

The teams battled for control of the contest during the second half, with a layup from sophomore Jamya Griffin trimming Thomas' advantage to 40-36 midway through the third quarter. The guard led GGC with 15 points and grabbed five rebounds.

Later, a 3-pointer from Kennedy Collins, her third of the third quarter (among a 4-for-4 shooting performance), stretched the Night Hawks' lead to 48-38 heading into the final quarter. She scored a game-high 19 points.

Thomas built a 57-44 lead after a fast break layup from Latarius Montgomery with 5:40 remaining in the game.

The Night Hawks shot 45.1 percent from the floor and made nine 3-point field goals, many in crucial situations in the second half. Collins led the visitors with five shots from behind the 3-point arc. Montgomery added 11 points and a game-high 19 rebounds.

Scoring 10 points apiece for GGC were junior Laila Williams, Christen Collins and Fuller.
 
Coach's Corner
"Thomas played hard and hit shots. They made nine 3-pointers and had three players in double figures. I thought we did a good job of turning them over at times, but they hit big shots down the stretch. We played a phenomenal second quarter. Our defense was turning into offense. However, we just didn't play Grizzly basketball in the second half," said Head Coach Tory Wooley.
 
Turning Point
Making eight of its 11 field goals (72.7 percent) in the third quarter, Thomas turned a 28-27 halftime lead into a 10-point advantage, at 48-38, heading into the final 10-minute period. Georgia Gwinnett College couldn't make a big dent in the deficit, outscoring the visitors 18-17 in the fourth quarter and lost by nine points.  
 
Inside The Numbers

• Thomas made 45.1 percent of its shots, compared to 27.4 percent by the Grizzlies
• Sophomore Jamya Griffin scored a team-best 15 points
• The Grizzlies recorded 12 steals in the game
• GGC scored 28 points in the paint Wednesday

News & Notes

• GGC drops to 6-3 this winter; Thomas improves 4-4 in 2025-26
• Four Grizzlies scored in the double figures
• Wednesday was the Grizzlies' Black Out game
• GGC is scheduled to play at Thomas on December 13 in Thomasville, Georgia

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play Life University on Tuesday, November 25, in Marietta, Georgia, starting at 5:30 p.m.