The Georgia Gwinnett College women's basketball team dropped a 56-49 defensive battle to Columbia College (South Carolina) during Thursday's Teddy Bear Toss Night game in the Convocation Center.

GGC (6-5) tallied 11 points during each of the first two quarters and enjoyed a 22-17 halftime lead. The hosts held Columbia (6-3) to 2-of-13 shooting from behind the 3-point field goal arc during the first half.

A layup by freshman Hope Taylor in the final minute of the first quarter gave the Grizzlies an 11-7 lead. The team took an 18-14 lead following a layup by junior Maddie Presha with 2:26 left in the first half.
In the second half, a layup by junior Laila Williams extended GGC's lead to 26-19 with 7:52 remaining in the third quarter.

However, Columbia used a 10-1 run over the next five minutes to take a 29-27 lead. The visitors maintained the advantage, at 32-31, heading into the fourth quarter. The team scored 24 points in the decisive final period, including 10-of-14 shooting from the free throw line.

Sophomore Jamya Griffin led the Grizzlies with 11 points and freshman Christen Collins chipped in with 10 points. Presha added eight points and seven rebounds.
 
Coach's Corner
"This was a tough game where we got outplayed. They got us out of our rhythm. Our program is its infancy stages. I still believe in our players and know that we're going to bounce back," said Head Coach Tory Wooley.
 
Turning Point
Columbia benefitted from getting GGC in foul trouble early in the fourth quarter and rode the bonus situation to score 24 points in the 10-minute stanza. Ten of those points came from the free throw line on 10-of-14 shooting. The visitors also made two of its three 3-point field goals in the final period.
 
Inside The Numbers

• The Grizzlies made 33.3 percent of their field goals, compared to 28.6 percent by Columbia
• GGC outrebounded Columbia by a 44-39 margin
• Sophomore Jamya Griffin scored a team-high 11 points
• GGC scored 28 points in the paint near the basket Thursday

News & Notes

• GGC falls to 6-5 on the season; Columbia improves to 6-3 this winter
• GGC recorded eight steals and eight assists in the game
• Thursday was the Grizzlies' Teddy Bear Toss Night game, where fans brought new and/or unused Teddy Bears that will be donated to children throughout the Lawrenceville community this holiday season
• GGC is 5-3 at home during the 2025-26 season

Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to travel to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on Wednesday, December 10, in Tifton, Georgia, starting at 5:30 p.m.