Georgia Gwinnett College basketball is only in its second season of existence, but the Grizzlies already have a victory that will stand out in program history.
The NAIA program pulled off a 79-77 upset of Alabama State on Monday night in Montgomery, earning its first-ever victory against a Division I opponent.
Think about that for a second. Georgia Gwinnett didn’t play its first basketball game until October 2025. Just over a year later, the Grizzlies are celebrating a milestone that most new programs can only dream about: beating a Division I opponent on its home floor.
After trailing 34-32 at halftime, Georgia Gwinnett erupted for 47 second-half points. The team shot 57.1% from the field and knocked down 11 of 19 three-point attempts.
Marc Chavenet led the way with 14 points, shooting 5-of-7 from the floor and connecting on four three-pointers. Brasen James added 13 points, while Ray Rolley contributed 11.
Dewayne Jackson also grabbed 11 rebounds and helped Georgia Gwinnett establish a 34-22 advantage in points in the paint.
Alabama State had four players score in double figures, led by Paul McMillan IV’s 24 points. Tre Powell added 23 points, including seven three-pointers, while Terrence Hampton Jr. finished with 13 points and nine rebounds.
The Hornets nearly stole the game after trailing by as many as 11 points with 2:27 remaining.
McMillan eventually knocked down a three-pointer to tie the game at 77-77, setting up a dramatic finish.
Georgia Gwinnett had the final answer.
NAIA over D1!! Georgia Gwinnett College (NAIA) holds on after 2 misses in the final seconds 79-77 to beat Alabama State (D1) in Montgomery!
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) November 10, 2026
GGC only started their Basketball program LAST YEAR (2025-26) 😱 pic.twitter.com/fbyooJVFpu
Amari Morgan grabbed an offensive rebound and converted a second-chance tip-in dunk to put the Grizzlies ahead 79-77. Alabama State had another opportunity in the closing seconds, but Damarion Bonds missed a three-point attempt, and the Hornets couldn’t convert the follow-up.
Who is Georgia Gwinnett?
Georgia Gwinnett College, located in Lawrenceville, Georgia, announced in April 2024 that it would add men’s and women’s basketball to its athletic department. Both programs were scheduled to begin competition during the 2025-26 academic year.
Georgia Gwinnett opened its inaugural season on Oct. 23, 2025, with a convincing 106-70 victory over Spartanburg Methodist.
Georgia Gwinnett finished its inaugural season with a 25-7 record, climbed as high as No. 23 in the NAIA national rankings and earned a trip to the NAIA national tournament.
Now, they’ve added a Division I victory at the expensive of team that won an NCAA tournament game just two years ago.
