Grizzlies Fall to No. 10 Oklahoma Wesleyan in Tulsa Challenge Opener
SKIATOOK, Okla. – The Georgia gwinnett College men’s basketball team suffered a 78-64 defeat to No. 10 Oklahoma Wesleyan in the opening game of the Tulsa Challenge on Friday evening. The Grizzlies, receiving votes in the NAIA Preseason top 25 poll, saw a five-point halftime lead evaporate as the Eagles seized control with dominant runs in the second half.
The loss drops GGC to 3-1 on the season. Oklahoma Wesleyan opened its 2025-26 campaign with the victory. Despite holding halftime leads in all four games this season, the Grizzlies were unable to maintain momentum against a strong Eagles squad. This marks the first of five tournaments for GGC during the regular season.
Deonte’ Martinez trimmed the deficit to 53-50 with a jump shot at the 10:42 mark, but Oklahoma Wesleyan responded with a 15-2 run, extending their lead to 68-52 following a layup by yashi McKenzie.
Devontre Chaney led the Grizzlies with a career-high 24 points, shooting 7-of-8 from the field. GGC connected on eight 3-point field goals throughout the contest. However, Oklahoma Wesleyan’s efficient shooting – 49.3 percent from the floor compared to GGC’s 44.9 percent – adn slight rebounding advantage (32-30) proved decisive.
“We didn’t match their energy and intensity to start the second half,” said Head Coach Chase teichmann. “We must take care of the ball better. They like to play in the full court and our turnovers early in the second half allowed for their depth and pressure to take over the game. We did a good job bouncing back in the first half.”
Oklahoma Wesleyan’s pair of offensive runs in the second half ultimately proved too much for GGC to overcome.The Eagles began the half on a 17-3 run before their later 15-2 surge put the game out of reach.
Georgia gwinnett College will conclude the Tulsa Challenge against the University of Saint Mary (Kansas) on Saturday, November 1, at 6:30 p.m. in Skiatook, Oklahoma.
