The Georgia Gwinnett College men's basketball team still lives for more postseason action despite losing 82-78 to Arkansas Baptist College in Sunday's intense championship game of the 2026 Continental Athletic Conference Championship at the Convocation Center.

The top-seeded Grizzlies (25-6) have earned one of the CAC's two bids to the NAIA national tournament – quite an accomplishment for a first-year program. The NAIA's First and Second Round tournament assignments will be announced on Thursday, March 5.

In a game that features numerous offensive streaks by both teams, it was the No. 2-seeded Arkansas Baptist College (18-9) that outscored GGC by an 8-4 margin across the final 2:18 to break away from a 74-74 tie to take home the four-point victory. Javion Johnson started the Buffaloes' late rally with a three-point play, on a layup and free throw, after a steal. Treylon Swayzer followed with tip-in, Lequan Washington had a layup and Tray'von Thomas made a free throw to account for the team's late eight-point offensive spurt.

GGC had opened the second half aggressively, getting a three-point play on a dunk and free throw from freshman Patrick Johnson, a 3-point field goal by junior Jahiem Berry, and a layup from senior Deonte' Martinez in the first two minutes to take a 10-point edge, at 46-36.

However, Arkansas Baptist answered with a 10-0 offensive run of its own, getting layups from Christopher Hood and Thomas, a dunk from Timothy Palmar, and a layup from Ty'Reonn King to tie the game at 46-46 with 15:02 remaining in the game.

The lead switched hands several times and no team opened more than a four-point advantage before the final decisive 2:18 stretch of the game.

The Buffaloes came out strong in the contest, making three of their first six shots – all 3-pointers. They ended up making six of their 14 long-range field goals (shooting 42 percent). Meanwhile, GGC made only three of its 17 3-pointers (17.6 percent).

However, the Grizzlies' offense was enhanced by making 33 of its 40 free throws (82.5 percent), getting 17 of their 38 first-half points at the free throw line.

The loss broke GGC's 10-game winning streak.

CAC Player of the Year Devontre Chaney carried GGC offensively with 17 points, while Martinez had 13 points and freshman Mario Hill Jr. added 10 points. Chaney, a junior, and Hill Jr. were named to the all-tournament team for their efforts in three games across four days of highly charged action.

Johnson had a game-high 19 points to lead four double-digit scorers that carried Arkansas Baptist to the championship. Washington followed closely with 18 points, King had 16 points (on 3-for-4 from 3-point range) and Hood added 11 points.
 
Turning Point
Arkansas Baptist College outscored the tournament hosts by an 8-4 margin to break a 74-74 tie with 2:18 remaining in the game. Javion Johnson started the late offensive string with a three-point play, on a layup and free throw, after a steal. Treylon Swayzer followed with tip-in, Lequan Washington had a layup and Tray'von Thomas made a free throw to account for the team's late eight-point offensive spurt.
 
Inside The Numbers

• GGC made 33 of its 40 free throws (82.5 percent) to keep the game close in both halves
• Arkansas Baptist made its first three 3-point field goals of the game (two by Ty'Reonn King; one by Christopher Hood) to take an early lead
• Arkansas Baptist outscored the Grizzlies 46-40 in the second half to come back from a 38-36 halftime deficit
• GGC got 32 points from its bench, with a double-digit scoring effort from freshman Mario Hill Jr. (10 points) 

News & Notes

• GGC's record is now 25-6 for the season; Arkansas Baptist improves to 18-9
• The loss broke the Grizzlies' 10-game winning streak
• Junior Devontre Chaney and freshman Mario Hill Jr. were named to the all-tournament team
• Georgia Gwinnett College had a 14-2 record in the Convocation Center during the program's inaugural season

Up Next
Despite the loss, Georgia Gwinnett College has earned one of the CAC's bids to play in the 2026 NAIA national tournament. First and Second Round assignments in the tournament will be announced Thursday, March 5, by NAIA officials.