There were more tricks than treats for the Georgia Gwinnett College women's basketball team and it contributed to the Grizzlies losing for the first time this season, 61-43 to Reinhardt University (Georgia) on Saturday afternoon in the Convocation Center.
The loss broke GGC's three-game winning streak, with one more contest in the five-game home stand to open the season.
The Grizzlies (3-1) got off to a quick start for the fourth straight game and were in control with a 15-7 lead after shooting 41.6 percent (making 5-of-12 field goals) in the first quarter. However, the tide started to change in the second quarter, when Reinhardt outscored GGC by a 15-10 margin but still trailed 25-22 at halftime.
The third quarter was decisive for both teams. The Eagles' intense defensive pressure held the Grizzlies to just two field goals (shooting 15.4% on 2-for-13 shots), no 3-point field goals (0-for-4) and three free throws (3-for-10, 30%) in the period. Meanwhile, the visitors added 20 points, while shooting 43.8 percent (7-of-16 field goals) to take a commanding 42-32 lead into the final 10 minutes.
GGC once again managed to close the gap to 10 points, at 48-38, with 3:38 remaining following a 3-pointer by sophomore
Christen Collins but could only add five more points the rest of the way.
Collins led the team with 10 points while senior
Nylaa Fuller and junior
Jamya Griffin each had eight points. Sophomore
Jaydah Rainey had nine rebounds and
Bri Adams added eight rebounds.
Meanwhile, Reinhardt had three double-figure scorers: Laphina Campbell, who came off the bench for a game-high 16 points; Audrey Ekoue-Bla, with 13 points; and Joy Harris, with 11 points. Chloe VanDyke had a game-high 13 rebounds as the team outrebounded GGC by a 48-41 margin.
Turning Point
The Grizzlies had their largest lead of the game at 18-9 following a 3-point field goal by sophomore
Gracie Byford with 8:21 left in the second quarter. Reinhardt managed to cut the gap to three points, with GGC still on top 25-22, at the halftime break. Then, the Eagles kept things under control, outscoring the hosts by a 20-7 margin in the third quarter.
Inside The Numbers
- GGC scored just 18 points in the second half; meanwhile, Reinhardt added 39 points over that span, turning a 25-22 halftime deficit into an 18-point victory
- Eight of the team's nine players scored in the game
- GGC had four points off nine turnovers and six fast break points
- GGC made 10 of its 24 free throws (41.7%)
News & Notes
- GGC loses for the first time this season and is now 3-1; Reinhardt is now 2-0
- The Grizzlies led after the first quarter for the fourth straight game
- GGC has had four straight home games, part of a five-game home stand to start the season
- This was the first game between the two Georgia teams
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College will conclude its five-game home stand to start the season with a game against Life University (Georgia) on Wednesday, November 4. It will be Area Code Night in the Convocation Center, with the game starting at 6 p.m.
