Rocklin, Calif. – The Jessup men's basketball team (12-5, 4-2) won their third straight Golden State Athletic Conference Game while playing host to San Diego Christian College (9-7, 2-4) Saturday, grabbing a 78-69 victory.
The Warriors are looking just short of unstoppable midway through the 2015-2016 season playing with a healthy roster. After beating two ranked conference opponents Jessup took on a dangerous San Diego Christian team Saturday.
Jessup's high pressure defense led, in part, by Senior Saajid Polite (Sacramento, CA) appeared to make the difference Saturday as the Warriors were able to hold the Hawks from San Diego to just 28% from behind the three point line and 36% from the field.
Jessup, retrospective of their previous three games, found themselves capable of controlling the pace of the game to suit their liking. Seniors Corey Clement (Las Vegas, NV) and Polite were able to take advantage of fast break opportunities while fellow seniors Desmond Floyd (Gilbert, AZ) and Andre Smith (San Diego, CA) pounded the ball inside in half court sets.
While the Warriors seemed to control the pace of the game the Hawks found a way to make shots when they counted the most as they fought to keep the game close. Jessup never found a lead greater than five points throughout the first half and San Diego trailed by just two at the game's midway point.
Jessup came out swinging in the second half jumping immediately to a nine point lead. While the lead was comfortable the Warriors never quite landed a run that put San Diego out of reach. San Diego played opportunistically and when Jessup made a number of uncharacteristic turnovers down the stretch the Hawks jumped at their opportunity.
Jessup never let a San Diego run grow too large to control, ensuring they also converted jump shots when given the opportunity. San Diego never get closer than six as Clement would finish off the game shooting 4-4 from the free throw line, guaranteeing a Warrior win.
It would be Clement that would lead the Warriors with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. Smith followed suit with a double-double consisting of 15 points and 12 rebounds while Polite contributed 14 points and eight rebounds of his own. San Diego's leading scorer Dalante Dunklin finished the game with 19 points on the scoreboard.
Jessup will head back onto the road next week to visit The Master's College and #16 Westmont College. They will return home to face off against #7 Arizona Christian University on 28 January at 7:30 p.m.
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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), @WJUSports (Twitter), and @JessupAthletics (Instagram, and Snapchat).
