The No. 18-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College men's basketball team outscored Tennessee Wesleyan University by 22 points in the second half to overcome a halftime deficit in Saturday's 89-69 victory that wrapped up the team's play at the Dalton Classic in Dalton, Georgia.
The Grizzlies (6-0) used a 22-2 run over the course of seven minutes near the midway point of the second half to secure the triumph.
Consecutive baskets by senior
Josh Ray gave GGC a 59-57 lead at the 11:08 mark of the period. Senior
Devontre Chaney then connected on a field goal that was followed by another jumper from Ray to extend the team's lead to seven points, at 64-57, with 9:49 remaining. Ray scored eight of his 16 points during the decisive run.
Later, senior
Brasen James made a 3-point field goal and another jumper to give the Grizzlies a 73-59 lead with six minutes left. A made field goal by Chaney at the 5:21 mark capped the scoring run and stretched the margin between the two teams to 18 points, at 77-59. Chaney scored 15 points, grabbed nine rebounds and recorded five assists in the triumph.
The Grizzlies trailed 43-41 at halftime after both teams shot over 50 percent from the floor in the first half.
Senior
Jahiem Berry scored 14 of his game-high 26 points during the first 20 minutes of action. He connected on four 3-pointers. Sophomore
Patrick Johnson chipped in 12 points to round out the team's four double-figure scorers.
GGC shot 59 percent from the field and outrebounded the Bulldogs (0-2) by a commanding 41-23 margin.
Coach's Corner
"I am proud of the effort and team's execution in the second half. We didn't play the way we wanted to in the first half but give Tennessee Wesleyan credit, they came ready to play like we knew they would," said Head Coach
Chase Teichmann.
Turning Point
Senior
Josh Ray scored eight of his 16 points during a 22-2 offensive run over a seven-minute span near the midway point of the second half. That turned a 57-55 deficit for the Grizzlies with 12 minutes remaining into a 77-57 advantage and put the team in control down the stretch.
Inside The Numbers
- The Grizzlies connected on 59 percent of their field goal attempts in the contest
- Senior Jahiem Berry scored a game-high 24 points, behind four 3-point field goals
- GGC outrebounded Tennessee Wesleyan by a 41-23 margin on Saturday
- The team had 22 assists on 36 made field goals
News & Notes
- GGC improves to 6-0 this winter; Tennessee Wesleyan drops to 0-2 in 2026-27
- The Grizzlies were ranked No. 18 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll
- The team has won both meetings against Tennessee Wesleyan over the past two seasons
- Georgia Gwinnett placed four players in double figures in the triumph
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to play an exhibition game against NCAA Division I Alabama State University on Monday, November 9, in Montgomery, Alabama, starting at starting at 7 p.m.
