Vallejo, Calif. – The Warrior's women's basketball team (9-3) traveled to California Maritime Academy (0-12) for one last game of the year and came out unscathed after a close, hard fought battle winning 69-65 in the game's final minutes.
Olivia Luu (Riverbank, CA) got the blood moving for the Warriors early when she grabbed a steal and made the dish to Diana Corona (Porterville, CA) for a bucket early in the first half, bringing the Jessup bench to their feet and putting Jessup up by three. Cal Maritime wouldn't stay down for long though. Despite the Warriors seeing a four point lead the Keelhaulers managed to close the gap to 1 by the end of the first quarter, 15-14.
Cal Maritime grabbed the momentum at the outset of the second quarter, finding an early 19-15 lead. Emotional, back-to-back threes by Luu (Olivia) thrust Jessup back into the battle. Once again, Maritime found wouldn't let Jessup run away and fought back to a four point lead, 29-25, headed into halftime.
The ominous third quarter loomed in front of the Warriors as they prepared to make up their small deficit. Historically Jessup's most challenging quarter offensively, the Warriors would not be swayed. Jessup proceeded to put 23 points on the board in the quarter nearly doubling their first half point total. The game; however, had opened up offensively for both teams and the Warriors still saw themselves in a deficit at the end of the 10 minutes, down 49-48.
The Warriors found success in the game's fourth quarter, grabbing an early lead when Corona sank a layup to take Jessup's first lead since the end of first quarter play. The thrilling game would still be tied with three minutes remaining when Luu (Olivia) would nail another clutch basket from behind the 3-point arch, but the game was still far from over.
The Keelhaulers would fight to stay within a possession of the Warriors through the remainder of the game until they were forced to foul, down by two with 12 seconds left on the game clock. Senior Crystal Sewell (Ophir, CA) found herself at the free throw line shooting a bonus two. Sinking both would all but finish the game. The experienced team leader promptly and confidently sent both through the bottom of the net and Warriors left Vallejo with another check in the win column, 69-65.
The Warriors will have the opportunity to grab some well-earned rest over the holidays but will return to play Simpson University at home on January 2nd at 2 p.m. in Warrior Arena.
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William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook), @JessupAthletics (Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat).
